South Carolina promoting Mike Shula to offensive coordinator. Here are contract details
The South Carolina Gamecocks are hiring from within for their next offensive coordinator.
On Tuesday, the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees’ approved the contract for Mike Shula to become the Gamecocks’ next offensive coordinator.
Shula’s deal will run for through Dec. 31, 2027 (three years) and includes a base salary of $1.1 million. That makes him South Carolina’s second-highest paid assistant coach, behind defensive coordinator Clayton White, who received a raise Tuesday and will earn $1.9 million in 2025.
If Shula were to terminate the contact before the end of 2025, he’d be obligated to pay South Carolina $605,000, with that buyout number decreasing by $100,000 in each of the next two years.
Shula, who made $150,000 serving as an offensive analyst for the Gamecocks this year, replaces Dowell Loggains — the second-year OC who left Columbia on Dec. 7 to become head coach at Appalachian State. Loggains was making $1 million annually at South Carolina.
Shula, the 59-year-old son of legendary Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula, has spent the majority of his coaching career in the NFL — notably as the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl 50 runner-up Carolina Panthers.
Before coming to South Carolina, Shula’s only stint as a college college was his four years at the head man of his alma mater, Alabama. He went 26-23 with the Crimson Tide before being fired in 2006, and replaced by Nick Saban.
At South Carolina, Shula acted essentially as the quarterbacks coach, and he’s known for having a great relationship with quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
While Loggains called plays upstairs from the coaches’ box in every game this season, Shula was on the sideline with a tablet, talking with Sellers and the quarterbacks after every drive.
It wasn’t immediately known if Shula will call the plays in the upcoming Citrus Bowl against Illinois. Head coach Shane Beamer had left open the possibility that Loggains could still serve in that capacity even as he transitions to be the new App State coach.
New deals, raises for all USC assistants
After a resurgent 2024 season for South Carolina, the Gamecocks’ assistant coaches are reaping the rewards with new contracts.
A few weeks before South Carolina plays in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31, following a 9-3 regular season, the USC Board of Trustees approved raises for all 10 on-field assistant coaches.
Most notable was White, whose unit game up the second-fewest points in conference games among all SEC defenses.
White entered the 2024 season as head coach Shane Beamer’s top-paid assistant with a salary of $1.1 million and was going to make an extra $100,000 for the 2025 season.
Instead, White earned himself a two-year extension that will pay him $1.9 million in 2025, $2 million in 2026 and $2.1 million in 2027.
In addition to Shula and White, Beamer gave every other assistant an extension and a raise heading into the 2025 season.
Shane Beamer’s assistant coaching staff (2025 salaries)
Clayton White (DC) — $1.9 million
Mike Shula (OC) — $1.1 million
Joe DeCamillis (ST) — $850,000
Shawn Elliott (TEs) — $760,000
Torrian Gray (DBs) — $850,000
Sterling Lucas (DEs/OLBs) — $775,000
Lonnie Teasley (OL) — $675,000
Mike Furrey (WRs) — $650,000
Marquel Blackwell (RB) — $580,000
Travian Robertson (DL) — $550,000
This story was originally published December 17, 2024 at 3:42 PM.
