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Thought about this for a couple days now. Sounds like this is a Beamer vs. Napier finish. Combining my research and my gut feelings along with thoughts from people I respect , I think @CoachSBeamer is the clear choice for head coach at South Carolina. Here's why:
First of all, this is his dream job. Not many folks out there can say that with a straight face. Shane was born in Charleston and had two kids born in Cola. For a family that most associate with Virginia, and as many places as Shane has been, he has many roots in South Carolina.
Second, he knows how to win. Think about the people Shane is associated with: Lincoln Riley, Kirby Smart, Spurrier, Phil Fulmer, Sylvester Croom, Frank Beamer. All winners. He has coached at seven different schools in three power five conferences. Which leads to my next point.
3rd, He will build a great staff. Shane understands that money well spent would go towards the coaching staff. I think that means keeping Bobo at OC, Shaw at QB coach, and then bringing in a solid defensive staff. And the mentors he would have would compliment this younger staff.
Fourth, his experience is good. No, he has not been a head coach yet. Not ideal, but look at what he has done. Shane has experience as special teams coordinator (talks to the whole team), associate head coach, and interim head coach at Virginia Tech where he won his bowl game.
But most importantly, he was recruiting coordinator at South Carolina from 2009-2010. Who signed in those classes? Alshon Jeffrey, Marcus Lattimore, Stephon Gilmore, Connor Shaw, Vic Hampton, AJ Cann, Ace Sanders, Nick Jones, Chaz Sutton, DJ Swearinger, DeVonte Holloman, etc.
That locker room culture that Connor Shaw talked about, those were all guys that Shane Beamer brought into this program. And those are all guys that will come back to this program and get it back on track. That's what this team needs. Accountability from the old guys (see: Miami)
Shane knows 1) this state, 2) this recruiting blueprint, 3) this school, and most importantly 4) this fanbase. What he needs to do to win not only on the field, but off it at the lunches and meetings. Here is why, while I would support him 100%, I like Beamer more than Napier...
Napier wants a SEC job. Beamer wants the Carolina job. Napier also has a lot of history with Clemson. And it ain't a good one. Imagine going into a living room and that kid has been told that Dabo not only fired Napier, but that their great offensive successes came after he left.
Napier has done great things at UL-Lafayette. But he hasn't won the conference and he is 0-4 against App State. I think he will be a great head coach at Tennessee or LSU or some school he can bulldog his way towards wins. South Carolina is a unique program...
It would be benefitted by having someone with first-hand knowledge running it. Gone are the days of "South Carolina is a loser program"...yeah, in the 90s. Facilities, money, stadium, resources -- all elite. South Carolina needs someone that can build a winner. Shane is that guy.
