Trustees approve Grade-A clause

Steve Spurrier received an extra $100,000 for taking South Carolina to the Outback Bowl last season. The Gamecocks’ coach can bank an additional bonus next season if his team makes the grade in the classroom.

USC’s board of trustees on Friday approved a new incentive clause for Spurrier worth as much as $100,000 if the Gamecocks score well on the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate (APR) report.

Spurrier, who makes $1.75 million entering his fifth season at USC, would collect an additional $50,000 in any year when his team posts a multiyear APR between 925-934. He would receive $75,000 for an APR between 935-949, and $100,000 if the score exceeds 950.

APR awards two points for each scholarship athlete — one each for eligibility and retention. Teams that score below 925 on the scale are subject to penalties such as scholarship losses.

In Spurrier’s first four seasons, USC had APR scores of 911, 913, 921 and 929.

USC athletics director Eric Hyman approached Spurrier about adding the academic clause.

“I think that’s a very important part of college athletics,” Hyman said. “We give a lot of incentives to be successful competitively, but I think you need to give incentives for success academically.”

In addition, Spurrier will receive $50,000 to distribute among his staff after any year in which his team posts an APR or 925 or higher.

“I also feel those assistant coaches do a lot, too,” said Hyman, a former assistant coach at Furman. “This is a way for Steve to be able to recognize people that are supportive — assistant coaches that really help academically.”

Whitlock status unresolved. Hyman said he had no update on the status of C.C. Whitlock after meeting with the suspended cornerback recently. Whitlock was summarily suspended in May after he was arrested on a trespassing charge at a nightclub near his hometown of Chester.

A Fairfield County magistrate last week found Whitlock not guilty of the charge, although the sophomore has yet to be reinstated. Whitlock was on academic suspension during the spring and needs a good showing in summer school to be eligible for the fall.

Hyman said officials are examining Whitlock’s situation.

Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.