Shane Beamer’s tenure at South Carolina has been defined by contrast. At times, the program has looked like it was on the verge of a breakthrough. At other moments, it has looked like it was starting over. That inconsistency is what makes evaluating Beamer difficult and what makes the 2026 season so important. There have been real highs. South Carolina has produced multiple seasons with eight or more wins, including a 2024 campaign that nearly resulted in a College Football Playoff appearance. That team was one of the hottest in the country late in the year and showed what the program can look like when everything comes together. But those flashes have not been sustained. The Gamecocks have also experienced multiple losing seasons under Beamer, including a disappointing 4-8 finish last year. That result was particularly jarring given the expectations entering the season. South Carolina climbed as high as No. 10 in the rankings, its best position in a decade, before collapsing down the stretch.…