South Carolina hires Frank Beamer's son

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina added another big college football name to its staff Wednesday, hiring Shane Beamer, the son of Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer.<br> <br> Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said his newest assistant will coach outside linebackers and serve as special teams&#39; co-coordinator with Fred Chatham.<br> <br> Beamer takes the spot of Dave Wommack, whose contract was not renewed after two seasons.<br> <br> ``I&#39;ve know Shane over the years,&#39;&#39; Spurrier said. ``He&#39;s been around some good programs. I thought he was the kind of guy we&#39;re looking for. I thought he was the right fit for what we need to do better here.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Beamer will take charge of South Carolina&#39;s kick and punt block teams. And that&#39;s something Beamer&#39;s alma mater of Virginia Tech is known for special teams play.<br> <br> ``It wasn&#39;t hard to figure out that he had something special when it came to special teams,&#39;&#39; Beamer said of his father&#39;s program.<br> <br> Shane Beamer was a long snapper for his dad on three Big East Conference title teams. In his final season in 1999 the Hokies lost the national title game to Florida State.<br> <br> Beamer also played on special teams and remembers the pride the Hokies felt at their success in that part of the game.<br> <br> ``I think at a lot of schools ... some players they see special teams as a chore,&#39;&#39; Beamer said. ``At Virginia Tech, the players are lining up to get on the kicking team unit.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> ``I don&#39;t think there&#39;s any great secrets he has,&#39;&#39; Beamer continued. ``I think it just they work at it and developed a tradition where guys felt obligated to carry on the tradition.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The salary or length of the contract for Beamer, who arrived on campus Wednesday morning, was not yet available, South Carolina spokesman Steve Fink said.<br> <br> In addition, Spurrier announced that recruiting coordinator David Reaves would be the team&#39;s full-time quarterbacks coach. Spurrier remains his own offensive coordinator, but Reaves would handle more position meetings.<br> <br> Shane Beamer, 29, spent the past three seasons at Mississippi State where he served as recruiting coordinator, cornerbacks coach and running backs coach. He&#39;s also on staffs at Georgia Tech and Tennessee.<br> <br> Frank Beamer was proud his son moved from one top-notch individual in Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom to another in Spurrier.<br> <br> ``Shane&#39;s been fortunate to be around good people,&#39;&#39; the Virginia Tech coach said. ``I think this is a wonderful opportunity for him. From what I hear, South Carolina is improving all the time and could be right in the thick of the Southeastern Conference race.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Shane Beamer says he thought about working for his father, even joking that when they had several staff openings before the 2006 season, ``I didn&#39;t get a phone call.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The younger Beamer had the chance to stay with the Hokies as a grad assistant after his playing days. ``I just felt like it was best for me to get out and make my own contacts,&#39;&#39; Shane Beamer said. ``I don&#39;t ever want a get a job because I&#39;m Frank Beamer&#39;s son.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> If he can match his father&#39;s special teams&#39; success, Shane Beamer will have few problems making his own mark in college football.