South Carolina came agonizingly close to toppling Alabama, but a 29-22 loss marked their second defeat to the powerhouse this season. The Gamecocks now sit at 3-5, and the pressure for a coach who led them to a 9-4 finish last season is higher than ever. In the wake of the disappointment, when asked how he keeps himself grounded, Shane Beamer shared a new practice he’s started. 

“I realize that everybody is looking to me as the head football coach, so I know if it’s weighing on me, then I’m not doing my best to help them…I’ve gotta be strong, and one of the things that I’m doing right now with a group of friends is we’re in a two-year, couple group of friends outside the program, we’re in a two-year project of reading the Bible from start to finish,” the head coach revealed in the post-game. 

While crediting Louisville baseball coach Dan McDonnell for encouraging him to join the study, Beamer was careful to clarify how the study helps him on the field. 

 “Throughout the Bible, there’s great stories of leaders showing leadership. And that’s what I’m trying to do. So I know all the haters on social media are gonna be like, ‘Hey, look at Beamer, he’s comparing himself to Moses leading the people across the Red Sea.’ That’s not what I’m doing. But it was a great lesson…I’m just trying to be the same person, and be consistent and stay positive and show great leadership to our people in our program right now,” the head coach shared.
Of course, Beamer would lean on faith to get through a “gut-wrenching loss.” His connection to faith isn’t new. He’s already spoken about how his beliefs influence his life and coaching philosophy.

It all traces back to his father, Frank Beamer, the legendary Virginia Tech coach, who, too, leaned on religion. Growing up, Shane just knew that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. In an interview with Sports Spectrum in 2022, he revealed that faith helped him do just that. 

“[Faith] certainly keeps me grounded and keeps great perspective on everything that I’m doing,” he said on the podcast. “I realize the impact that I can have in this chair as the head football coach at South Carolina on not just the players in this program, but the people in this program.”

Even earlier this year, when South Carolina stumbled early in the season, Beamer spoke about “leaning on the words of Jesus” to navigate that stretch, particularly John 16:33, a verse he said helps him remember to stay calm and focused no matter the results.

Interestingly, before the 2025 season opener between Virginia Tech and South Carolina, he was invited to deliver a pregame prayer, thanking God “for the opportunity to coach, for the players, and for the fans who make college football what it is.” 

With this, Shane Beamer isn’t the only coach who draws on faith to guide his program. Others in college football have long done the same. Earlier this season, Deion Sanders called a pastor into his Colorado locker room to speak to the players about responsibility and shared purpose. Lou Holtz, the College Football Hall of Fame coach, has also spoken frequently about his Christian faith and how it influences his life and coaching philosophy. Then there’s Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, Boise State’s Spencer Danielson, and the list goes on. 

But faith alone won’t change the scoreboard, and for the Gamecocks ‘ ranking and playoff hopes are on the line. 

Shane Beamer faces a critical stretch for South Carolina

Shane Beamer now faces the most defining stretch of his tenure at South Carolina. The loss to Alabama dropped the Gamecocks to 3–5, meaning they must win three of their final four games to reach bowl eligibility. That margin is razor-thin considering what lies ahead: two road trips against No. 8 Ole Miss and No. 3 Texas A&M, followed by home games against Coastal Carolina and rival Clemson.

The Gamecocks have yet to win on the road this season, and both SEC opponents rank in the top 25 nationally in scoring offense and defensive efficiency. All told, it’s a tall order for a team that’s struggled to protect its quarterback and establish consistency on offense.

Even if they split their remaining conference games, Beamer’s squad would still need to sweep their in-state matchups. Coastal Carolina is the more favorable contest, but the Palmetto Bowl against Clemson looms large. Both programs have underperformed. Clemson sits at 3–4, but the Tigers’ defensive front could pose serious problems for South Carolina’s battered offensive line.

For Shane Beamer, the results on the field over the next month will decide the season and the direction of the program under his leadership, regardless of faith-based practices.