Bryan McClendon got a break on his buyout as he departed South Carolina
Former South Carolina football offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon was put in a tricky spot this offseason.
A million-dollar assistant coach, he was demoted from his coordinator job but not fired. Many coaches respond to demotions by taking other jobs, but McClendon’s departure all but assuredly meant a large pay cut.
He eventually did take that, according to a report from the Oregonian, but the Gamecocks gave him a bit of a break on his contractual buyout.
According to information obtained by The State with a Freedom of Information Act request, McClendon paid $100,000 of his buyout, finalized June 9, instead of the $200,000 he was set to owe according to his contract. He had two years remaining on his contract with the Gamecocks.
The Oregonian’s James Crepea reported McClendon’s new contract at Oregon required McClendon himself to pay $50,000 toward that buyout. New schools usually cover the buyout.
Instead of the $1 million he was set to earn the next two years, McClendon will make a prorated $360,000 this year and $400,000 next year.
The Gamecocks saw three other coaches depart for other jobs: running backs coach Thomas Brown to the L.A. Rams and the NFL, defensive line coach John Scott Jr. to Penn State and linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler to Texas.
Each paid the buyout listed in his contract:
Thomas Brown – $100,000
John Scott – $40,000
Coleman Hutzler – $40,000
Their departures moved a few things around financially for the staff overall. Scott’s replacement, Tracy Rocker, will be paid $90,000 more. Hutzler’s replacement, Rod Wilson, will earn $200,000 less. Joe Cox will earn $820,000 less than McClendon, while Des Kitchings will earn the same as Brown did last year. The only other change was Dan Werner being let go as quarterbacks coach and Mike Bobo coming in earning $500,000 more.
