Justin Stepp comments on his departure from USC football coaching staff
Justin Stepp is off to Illinois.
But he’ll always have fond memories of Columbia, South Carolina.
That was the gist of a farewell message Stepp posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday afternoon as he departs coach Shane Beamer’s staff for a new job in the Big Ten after three seasons coaching with the Gamecocks.
Illinois announced Thursday night it had hired Stepp as its new wide receivers coach, a few weeks after Beamer shifted Stepp from USC’s receivers coach to tight ends coach for 2024. That move was prompted by Beamer’s hiring of James Coley, a veteran SEC assistant, as his new receivers coach.
In a post titled “Thank you South Carolina,” Stepp wrote: “Forever grateful to Coach Beamer and Gamecock Football for the opportunity to serve this program the last 3 years. My family and I are excited about the future but will always be grateful for our time spent and the relationships formed in Columbia. I know there are great things ahead for these players, coaches and all Gamecock fans.”
Stepp, an original member of Beamer’s staff dating back to the 2021 season, is the fourth assistant coach to depart this offseason.
Special teams coach Pete Lembo (Buffalo) and tight ends coach Jody Wright (Murray State) took head coaching jobs, and running backs coach Montario Hardesty was fired. South Carolina has since hired Marquel Blackwell as its new running backs coach and Joe DeCamillis as its new special teams coach.
Stepp’s departure brings USC back down to nine on-field assistant coaches. With the newly hired Coley coaching wide receivers, Beamer will now be looking for a tight ends coach to complete his 2024 staff.
SOUTH CAROLINA ASSISTANT COACH SALARIES
- Clayton White (DC) — $1.2 million
- Dowell Loggains (OC) — $1 million
- Joe DeCamillis (ST) — $800,000
- James Coley (WRs) — $750,000 (average)
- Torrian Gray (DBs) — $675,000
- Sterling Lucas (DEs/OLBs) — $575,000
- Open position (TEs) — TBD
- Marquel Blackwell (RB) — $487,500 (average)
- Travian Robertson (DL) — $400,000
- Lonnie Teasley (OL) — $410,000
This story was originally published February 9, 2024 at 4:12 PM.
