The Gamecocks suffered an epic defeat Saturday at Kyle Field, blowing a 30–3 halftime lead in a 31–30 loss to Texas A&M. The win propelled Texas A&M to its largest comeback ever in school history. The defeat dropped South Carolina to 3–7 overall and 1–7 in SEC play, adding another setback to a season already trending in the wrong direction.
South Carolina could place Shane Beamer in the hot seat.
In-game sideline interviews rarely offer much, but Beamer’s comments between the first and second quarters stood out, and not in a good way. He referenced last year’s 24-point win over Texas A&M and emphasized the team’s belief entering the matchup. Forty-five minutes of football later, that confidence unraveled.
According to SEC research, teams trailing by 27 points or more had been 0–286 in conference play. South Carolina’s collapse now stands alone as the first time an SEC team has erased such a deficit.
The loss intensifies pressure on Beamer, who led South Carolina to back-to-back winning seasons early in his tenure but has struggled to maintain momentum. Bowl eligibility is now out of reach, and frustration is rising among fans and boosters. The question is no longer whether South Carolina is disappointed, but whether extending Beamer was the right decision.
Beamer’s contract was extended through the 2030 season after a 9-4 campaign, with a salary set at $8.15 million for 2025 and annual $100,000 increases approved by the university’s board of trustees. The deal makes Beamer one of college football’s top 20 highest-paid coaches and includes a $5 million buyout if he departs in the first year, decreasing by $1 million per year throughout the contract’s duration.
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