Former LSU Tigers baseball coach Paul Mainieri is such a fan of South Carolina Gamecocks football, particularly its head coach Shane Beamer, that he went so far as to call it the best atmosphere in college football.
South Carolina Gamecocks Have the Best Atmosphere in College Football
In a press conference on Jan. 24, Mainieri, who is in his first season as the Gamecocks’ leader on the diamond, said he loves how Beamer works so well with the players and builds them up positively.
Mainieri guided LSU’s baseball team to the 2009 College World Series National Championship. He spent 15 seasons with the Tigers and had five College World Series appearances.
The Gamecocks baseball season starts on Feb. 14 against Sacred Heart Pioneers. Beamer will throw out the first pitch on Sunday of the Opening Weekend series. Jeremiah Donati will throw out the first pitch for Opening Day, then Ray Tanner for the Saturday game.
The Gamecocks were 9-4 last season and ranked 19th in the final AP Poll. Freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers finished with 3,208 yards in total offense and accounted for 25 touchdowns (18 passing and seven rushing).
The Gamecocks won 17- 14 over the Clemson Tigers in the regular-season finale, thanks to Sellers’ 20-yard touchdown run with 1:08 to play.
Shane Beamer Gets a Well-Deserved Raise
Even without Mainieri’s praise, the Gamecocks thought Beamer was worth a raise that would see him earn $8.65 million by 2030.
Their 9-4 record last season may have something to do with it.
Beamer’s contract ran through 2027, but he was near the bottom of SEC teams regarding yearly salary.
Kevin Miller of Gamecock Central wrote, “His salary, beginning in 2025, will increase to $8.15 Million. That number will grow by $100,000 annually during the life of the new contract.”
KEEP READING: South Carolina’s Shane Beamer Reveals Unpleasant Moment of His Life as a Kid
Beamer’s 29-22 record is solid, but he has won more games with South Carolina than any other coach in his first four seasons there.
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