Shane Beamer was ready to throw down with Illinois head coach Bret Bielema during South Carolina’s loss to the Fighting Illini in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Tuesday afternoon.
Beamer didn’t appreciate Bielema’s substitution taunt towards the South Carolina sideline.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for him, but I’ve never seen that happen,” Beamer explained after the game. “An opposing coach come over while his player is hurt…I thought that was bush league.”
Here’s what happened:
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) December 31, 2024
After the game, things settled down when the teams came together on the field:
All eyes on the handshake but it was just a tap on the shoulder between Beamer and Bielema pic.twitter.com/zl66Y9W8t3
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) December 31, 2024
Full comments from South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer on the third quarter situation with Bret Bielema.
"I've got a lot of respect for him, but I've never seen that happen. An opposing coach come over while his player is hurt… I thought that was bush league." pic.twitter.com/XcLoMlBIwM
— Julia Westerman (@JuliaWesterman) January 1, 2025
Bielema didn’t say much about the incident after the game.
“Football game,” Bielema said. “I think the best thing to happen, we got ourselves in a bowl that means a lot to this program. Ten wins, fifth time in school history. We want to build something sustainable. Can’t say enough about our kids and their effort and obviously a very good South Carolina team, very excited to get a W.”
