Cost of change: Why Shane Beamer’s future at South Carolina isn’t as tenuous as it might seem

In the wake of South Carolina's 35-34 overtime loss to Kentucky on Saturday — the Gamecocks' eighth straight SEC defeat — intel began leaking from sources close to the program that South Carolina intends to keep embattled coach Shane Beamer not just for the short term, but perhaps through the 2027 season.

Despite Beamer's 12th loss to Power Four opponents in 14 tries dating back to last season, it appears the sixth-year coach's job is secure for the time being. Breaking away from Beamer now or in the near future, sources say, would not be in the university's best interest financially.

Local outlets, like The Post and Courier, and 247Sports (VIP subscription required), were reporting on the buyout costs associated with Beamer's contract after Saturday night's loss, but The State reported that a change was "highly unlikely," given the financial constraints for a school that subsidized its athletic department more than any other SEC program in the last fiscal year, giving "South Carolina athletics over $42 million in direct institutional support" to assist with keeping up in the nation's most competitive league.

CBS Sports asked a high-end donor at South Carolina whether the school could afford Beamer's estimated $22.5 million…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/