As South Carolina’s leading male basketball coach Frank Martin he is happy to see a friend back home, he is sad that he cannot work with another every day.
Martin was asked about hiring the football coach Shane Beamer during their call-in show on Wednesday night.
“Shane and I have a friendship,” said Martin. “I am a great Frank Beamer fan. I met Coach Beamer and eventually met Shane. When (current Texas A&M senior basketball coach) Buzz Williams I went to Virginia Tech, spent a little more time with Coach Beamer. Since I was hired here, Shane and I have been communicating. I’m very happy for Shane and for our university because Shane loves it. He calls it home and has called it home since he and I spoke. “
Martin’s emotions come with the resignation of the five-year head coach Will Muschamp, whom Martin often praises publicly, has been seen in football practice and more.
“My heart is with Will,” said Martin. “Will is a friend, remains a friend and is an incredible human being. It’s one of those businesses where it’s interesting to me. I’m obviously a Gamecock and everything to help Shane with everything he needs. He’s a friend before he and I trained together at this university. At the same time, I also lost a friend that I respect Will tremendously for being able to work with him every day. “
Despite the difficult situation, Martin’s confidence in the athletics director Ray Tanner did not waver.
“He hired Shane and I’m a big fan of him,” said Martin. “I am excited and looking forward to going and helping you in any way I can.”
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Muschamp was 28-30 (17-22 at the SEC) as head coach in 2016-2020 South Carolina. He was fired on November 15 after a 2-5 start to his fifth season with the show. Throughout his four years in South Carolina, from 2007 to 2010, Beamer was a position coach, coordinator of special teams and recruiting coordinator. He moved to Virginia Tech to train with his 2011-15 dad and then trained in 2016-17 Georgia and Oklahoma for the past three seasons. Martin has been the head coach of the men’s basketball program since the 2012-13 season.
Gamecocks’ male basketball team is starting season 1-2, but the program paused all basketball-related activities and canceled Thursday’s home debut against Wofford and the December 14 meeting with George Washington due positive cases of COVID-19. The testing process will continue during the suspension of the team’s activities, which, depending on the negative test results, would resume on Wednesday, December 16, at least. The next game on the schedule is a presentation by Clemson at 12pm on December 19th.