Bob Caslen, the resolute president of the University of South Carolina, spoke during Shane Beamer’s introductory press conference about a fan base that “couldn’t be more passionate”.
The former superintendent of the US Military Academy, in the same minutes, echoed the words of fellow West Point graduate George Patton: “America loves a winner.”
Caslen – who had a lot more to do with hiring South Carolina’s last football coach than is generally reported – also predicted greatness for Beamer, 43.
“More importantly,” said Caslen, “I am absolutely convinced that he has the character that will take this program to a championship level.”
You could write a book about the family and the character Beamer. In fact, that book was published: Gregg Easterbrook’s football study, “The King of Sports,” begins with an analysis of how Frank Beamer, Shane’s father and new Gamecock consultant, managed the Virginia Tech program in the right way.
But “absolutely” is not rushed, not when forecasting the weather or at the level of the college football championship.
Things worthy of a storybook take time.
Beamer’s paradox means that he needs at least four years to rebuild in South Carolina and managers shouldn’t be too excited about the progress that is likely to come after the first or second season.
Mistakes are made when judging a coach after half a season, a full season, two and three.
That means giving the coach time, and not giving him a ridiculous extension of contract or a more comfortable purchase too soon.
The road to four years of trust:
Half season in
It is not just newcomers to the student section who make this mistake. Some Arkansas fans dubbed first-year coach Sam Pittman of Frank Broyles (or at least Houston Nutt) when the Razorbacks started 3-3 this year.
At 3-7, hmmm …
Pittman certainly exceeded expectations with an empty closet, but it is too early to say whether or not he can consistently compete in the SEC West.
Closer to home, Sparky Woods made his South Carolina debut with an exciting 5-1-1 start in 1989.
And finished 6-4-1. That was the best of his five Gamecock seasons, none of which included a bowl trip.
One year
Brad Scott, remember him?
Oh, that 1994 season, 7-5 and a 33-7 party at Clemson. The first South Carolina bowl victory meant a lively off-season.
Then came 4-6-1 in 1995 on the way to a winning percentage of 0.427.
Beamer’s Gamecocks may struggle in 2021, including on the road against an East Carolina program that was improving under former Citadel coach Mike Houston. But it is still too early to hope that South Carolina would hire Jamey Chadwell of Coastal Carolina or Scott Satterfield of Louisville or pursue the disappointing Texas coach, Tom Herman, who at least through an intermediary contacted sports director Ray Tanner, according to a source, before Beamer was hired.
Two years
Welcome to “Year Two Two Steps,” a two-part story from Will Muschamp’s very familiar SEC East tour.
Part I: Muschamp in 2012, his second year in Florida, takes the Gators to the Sugar Bowl with an 11-1 record.
Only to lose to Teddy Bridgewater and Louisville.
And lose to Georgia Southern going 4-8 next season.
Part II: Muschamp in 2017, his second year in South Carolina, goes 9-4 with a return win for the Outback Bowl over Michigan.
This was good for a good contract / purchase increase.
Look for Beamer, a low budget coach who is certainly better off hiring a high budget team, to show a good performance in his second season in South Carolina. But because the cast of “The Office” as coaching staff would improve in relation to to the Gamecocks regular season 2-8 in 2020, two years is too early to judge.
Three years
Muschamp made 7-6 in 2018 and generated enough optimism for another buyout increase (before a 28-0 defeat at the Belk Bowl to Virginia).
Probably a reward for losing only to Clemson by 21 points, the closest a Muschamp team would come to the Tigers.
Nor did three years provide the correct readings on Lou Holtz or Steve Spurrier.
It was an overly optimistic view of Holtz coming out of consecutive Outback Bowl wins with many players that Scott and Co. recruited. His next three seasons did not include a game of bowling.
Spurrier after three seasons went 1-2 against Clemson and had a bowl victory before starting a series of six consecutive winning seasons and the longest run in Gamecock history.
Four years
A much better read on most coaches, presidents and DIY landscaping projects.
Follow Gene Sapakoff on Twitter @sapakoff