South Carolina Players Notice More Energy From Beamer, Coaching Staff

South Carolina is already getting a different vibe from new coach Shane Beamer, and he's just a little more than three months into the job.

“It’s a whole lot more buy-in with Coach Beamer. Everyone knows we had a change in staff and it’s a totally new staff," senior safety RJ Roderick told reporters. "Everything has changed. The ability to get guys to buy-in early, I feel there is definitely good things happening right now.”

The Gamecocks were a miserable 2-8 last season, with all 10 games taking place against SEC opponents. So Beamer has quite the uphill battle.

He's doing well so far, the players say.

"Coach Beamer coming in, he’s more energetic and trying to push the program to go forward," said sophomore defensive lineman Jordan Burch. "Coach (Will) Muschamp was trying to do the same as well, but a change had to be done. It’s kind of the same, little differences. The only thing I would say is different is weight room and competitiveness is more fun. Other than that, everything feels the same.”

Added sophomore linebacker Mohamed Kaba, "Coach Beamer is everywhere. Before you’re working out he’s already in there working out. Before you’re in the practice room, in the meeting room, he’s already in there. He’s going to do what you do two times more.”

Beamer, 44, worked as a defensive assistant, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator at South Carolina from 2007-10. He is the son of longtime Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer. He returned to the Gamecocks after stints at Virginia Tech, Georgia and most recently Oklahoma.

"There is a lot of energy and good vibes going around the locker room and the team," said sophomore defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway.