Shane Beamer Uses SEC Membership, Realignment Concerns As Recruiting Tool
Since news broke back in late July of 2021 that Texas and Oklahoma were joining the SEC, realignment has been a constant talking point in discussions regarding the future of college football. Basically, if you're a big enough brand in a lesser renowned conference, you'll hope the SEC or Big Ten will throw you a lifeline. Maybe the Big 12 if you're really that desperate.
Throughout his time as South Carolina's head coach, Shane Beamer has become a master at making recruiting pitches through various methods when a microphone is in front of him. He did this again at South Carolina's media day event on Thursday afternoon, hammering home how stable the SEC is while other teams *cough, cough* Florida State *cough, cough* are seeking their way out of the vast realignment maze they're stuck in.
"Couldn't be more excited about the conference that we're in. I don't take for granted being in the SEC," Beamer exclaimed. "Every time I look on the phone, there's a school in another conference that's begging to get out of the conference that they're in, and people making comments about [how] they're leaving, they're just trying to figure out how and when. It's mind-boggling to me, but thank god that we are in a conference that's more solid than any conference in the country in my opinion, a conference that other schools are trying to get into actively, whether it's privately or publicly.
What started as seemingly a dig at teams whose administrations are in absolute disarray trying to find a way out of their current situation quickly turned into a clear recruiting pitch, as Beamer made it clear that South Carolina doesn't have to worry about the future of their program, based on recent events.
"We talk about it in recruiting all the time, the benefits of being in this league, and it's evident with what you see going on in the news this week with different schools and the instability in different conferences as well. Wish all those schools that we compete against well, but we're fortunate that we're in this conference and don't have to worry about a lot of the things that other schools are worried about in regards to their future."
Considering the ACC crossover in the Gamecocks' recruiting footprint, it's clear which schools Shane Beamer was referring to when making these remarks. How much it'll help South Carolina will be more apparent as the next couple of years progresses.
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