COLUMBIA — It was expected, but still enough of a question that another question — “Well, what if Clemson wins in a blowout?” — had some weight on it.

South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati made it clear on Nov. 25, telling The State that Shane Beamer will definitely return in 2026 despite a very disappointing 2025 season.

Donati had previously given Beamer a public vote of confidence, but that was a day before USC gave away a win over Alabama. And then two more losses, one that caused the firing of offensive coordinator Mike Shula and another where the Gamecocks snatched defeat from the jaws of victory worse than they ever have.

But the scales still tipped heavily toward retaining Beamer, even after going through the lengthy criteria.

Consider:

The record. This is an aw

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