Shane Beamer Isn't Worried About Outside Perception of Gamecocks

With just six wins over the last two seasons, the University of South Carolina football team finds itself surrounded by doubters. The lack of recent on-field success, along with a coaching change, are amongst the reasons why several media outlets are predicting another down campaign for the Gamecocks. But new coach Shane Beamer isn't worried about those on the outside of the program. He's urging his team to control what they can control, and win some games.

Speaking earlier this week at SEC Media Day, Beamer addressed the outside view of the program: “Let’s worry about what we can control and not people’s perception of us." Said Beamer, per the Greenville News. "It is what it is. We’re really not going to care if we’re being picked last in the SEC or not going to care if they pick us to win it one day. I know I am, but I’m motivated internally. Let’s be the best we can be."

Beamer then turned his attention to those doubting the program: “The only way to quiet the doubters is to win football games. So, let’s control what we can control, and that’s how we prepare to win games this fall.”

In his first go-round at SEC Media Day, Beamer scored a win with USC fans. The program posted a clip of the new head coach doubling down on the Garnet and Black as a championship (level) program, to the delight of Gamecock nation:

"I said in my (introductory) press conference back in December that I didn't feel like there was anything at South Carolina that we lacked to be a championship program. That we had everything that we needed. I'm even more convinced of that now after being there for seven months." Said Beamer.

South Carolina's first chance to change the perception of the program comes on September 4th when they host Eastern Illinois.