South Carolina coach Shane Beamer and Illinois coach Bret Bielema continued their change Wednesday on social media after a number of testy moments throughout Tuesday’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, which the Illini received 21-17 in Orlando, Florida.
Late within the third quarter, Beamer took problem with Bielema making the “T-bar” sign towards the South Carolina sideline after strolling over to verify on an injured Illini participant. Beamer needed to be restrained from charging on the Illini coach.
Bielema mentioned the T-bar is a part of an “unwritten philosophy in teaching,” meant to sign a good catch/touchback on a kickoff to the opposing protection workforce. Moments earlier than the on-field altercation, South Carolina made the T-bar sign and proceeded to lateral the ball, resulting in a 25-yard return by Nyck Harbor. Bielema mentioned he first realized in regards to the T-bar sign whereas teaching within the NFL, as a approach of limiting the danger of damage on kickoffs.
“There’s nothing unlawful, they did not do something unlawful, nevertheless it put us ready that the ethic of what that’s obtained evaporated, as a result of our youngsters stopped [running],” Bielema mentioned.
Bielema added that Beamer “is an efficient particular person” and that his sign wasn’t towards him however “their complete rattling sideline.”
“I simply needed them to know that I do know what simply occurred,” Bielema mentioned. “There’s nothing unlawful, there’s nothing flawed. I simply have by no means seen it carried out in any stage of faculty soccer.”
Beamer defended the play, saying that he knowledgeable the officiating crew earlier than the sport that South Carolina supposed to make use of the lateral after the T-bar sign, and obtained clearance from them. He acknowledged that the majority groups use the sign as a touchback indicator.
But Beamer mentioned he has by no means seen an opposing coach stroll over and gesture like Bielema did.
“You must ask him why he did not take it up with the officers and why he felt the necessity to come over right here whereas his participant was on the bottom and have a look at me and say one thing to me and try this movement at me, like I used to be filled with you recognize what to do it,” Beamer mentioned. “That’s what I’ve a problem with. I’m a aggressive man. When someone says that to me, I’m going to reply, as a result of I assumed that was bush league, simply to be utterly trustworthy.”
Beamer posted Wednesday on X that he was disillusioned in his workforce’s ethics being questioned, writing, “I do not take that frivolously.” He additionally reposted a video of an Illinois participant trying to the sideline earlier than dropping to a knee throughout a South Carolina drive late within the fourth quarter.
“Unethical seems to be like this,” Beamer wrote. “Along w our RB getting his helmet ripped off on the identical time , together with the IL participant taunting him after which tossing the ball on the Umpire’s leg-Who does nothing.”
Bielema also posted on X, clarifying that his problem had “NOTHING to do with substitution. Had every part to do with participant security.” Moments after the T-bar change, South Carolina needed to name timeout close to the Illinois objective line after a late defensive substitution, to keep away from a delay of recreation penalty. Cameras captured Beamer trying annoyed whereas Bielema grinned from throughout the sphere.
Bielema later reposted Beamer’s message, whereas writing, “Happy New Year and congrats on a fantastic season.”
