Gamecocks add Shane Beamer to coaching staff

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina added another big college football name to its staff Wednesday, hiring Shane Beamer, the son of Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer.

Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said his newest assistant will coach outside linebackers and serve as special teams' co-coordinator with Fred Chatham.

Beamer takes the spot of Dave Wommack, whose contract was not renewed after two seasons.

"I've know Shane over the years," Spurrier said. "He's been around some good programs. I thought he was the kind of guy we're looking for. I thought he was the right fit for what we need to do better here."

Beamer will take charge of South Carolina's kick and punt block teams. And that's something Beamer's alma mater of Virginia Tech is known for -- special teams play.

"It wasn't hard to figure out that he had something special when it came to special teams," Beamer said of his father's program.

Shane Beamer was a long snapper for his dad on three Big East Conference title teams. In his final season in 1999 the Hokies lost the national title game to Florida State.

Beamer also played on special teams and remembers the pride the Hokies felt at their success in that part of the game.

"I think at a lot of schools ... some players they see special teams as a chore," Beamer said. "At Virginia Tech, the players are lining up to get on the kicking team unit."

"I don't think there's any great secrets he has," Beamer continued. "I think it just they work at it and developed a tradition where guys felt obligated to carry on the tradition."

The salary or length of the contract for Beamer, who arrived on campus Wednesday morning, was not yet available, South Carolina spokesman Steve Fink said.

In addition, Spurrier announced that recruiting coordinator David Reaves would be the team's full-time quarterbacks coach. Spurrier remains his own offensive coordinator, but Reaves would handle more position meetings.

Shane Beamer, 29, spent the past three seasons at Mississippi State where he served as recruiting coordinator, cornerbacks coach and running backs coach. He's also on staffs at Georgia Tech and Tennessee.

Frank Beamer was proud his son moved from one top-notch individual in Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom to another in Spurrier.

"Shane's been fortunate to be around good people," the Virginia Tech coach said. "I think this is a wonderful opportunity for him. From what I hear, South Carolina is improving all the time and could be right in the thick of the Southeastern Conference race."

Shane Beamer says he thought about working for his father, even joking that when they had several staff openings before the 2006 season, "I didn't get a phone call."

The younger Beamer had the chance to stay with the Hokies as a grad assistant after his playing days. "I just felt like it was best for me to get out and make my own contacts," Shane Beamer said. "I don't ever want a get a job because I'm Frank Beamer's son."

If he can match his father's special teams' success, Shane Beamer will have few problems making his own mark in college football.