Why Shane Beamer said timing was right to reward all of USC’s assistants with raises
Shane Beamer is busy solidifying his roster for the 2025 college football season. One thing he doesn’t have to worry about is shoring up his coaching staff.
All of the Gamecocks’ football assistants received raises and new contracts that were officially approved Tuesday by the South Carolina Board of Trustees.
On Wednesday, Beamer told reporters that he spoke with outgoing USC athletic director Ray Tanner about making sure his assistants were taken care of after the season in which the Gamecocks finished 9-3 and earned a spot in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
It’s what the assistant coaches deserved, Beamer said, and the timing was important for multiple reasons.
“That was huge to be able to get that solidified before the bowl game,” Beamer said during Wednesday’s press conference to introduce new offensive coordinator Mike Shula. “The transfer portal is opening up, signing day ... so to be able to make a statement about where we are as a program and how we believe in these guys would be huge.”
Beamer said the contracts on his assistants’ desks last Monday and were all signed by Friday.
The change means the school is investing an additional $2 million into football assistant salaries. Those 10 USC coaches now make $8.69 million annually, up from $6.6 million from 2024. The new total places USC assistants in the top five of coaching staff salaries based on last year’s numbers. The $6.6 million ranked the Gamecocks at No. 11, according to the USA Today salary database.
The Gamecocks lost one assistant coach last month when offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains took the Appalachian State head coaching job. Beamer said there was Power 4 interest in his other assistants, and he said one of them turned down a chance at a head coaching job.
NFL teams might call on some of his assistants next month when pro coaching vacancies are filled, Beamer added.
Defensive coordinator Clayton White’s name has been rumored for some jobs, including Charlotte, and the defensive coordinator job at N.C. State, where he worked previously.
White, however, was rewarded with a $700,000 annual raise up to $1.9 million that will grow to $2 million in 2026.
Shula, Loggains replacement, gets the biggest bump, going from $150,000 as an analyst to $1.1 million as the full-time offensive coordinator.
“Great statement by men in this program that they want to be here. They have a lot of excitement about 2025 like we all do,” Beamer said.
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
