South Carolina’s three wins in 2015 the most costly in nation
For each of its three victories this past season, South Carolina spent almost $2.7 million on coaches salaries – the highest cost per win of any Bowl Subdivision public school with at least one win, according to a USA Today survey.
The figures are based on the amounts the schools were scheduled to pay their 2015 staffs, according to USA Today Sports’ analysis of football coaches’ compensation.
USC had $7,965,000 in salaries for coaches ($4 million for Steve Spurrier and $3,965,000 for assistants).
The Gamecocks wound up with a 3-9 record.
Spurrier resigned in mid-October, and Shawn Elliott was named interim coach. Former Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was named as Spurrier’s successor.
Oregon State and Purdue (both 2-10) followed South Carolina on the list. Oregon State paid more than $2.5 million per win, Purdue nearly $2.2 million.
The with the lowest cost per victory were Bowling Green, Appalachian State and Western Kentucky. Bowling Green paid about $120,000 for each of its 10 wins.
Clemson (13-0) paid $585,000 per victory.
Auburn (6-6) at $1,570,000 per win and Missouri (5-7) at $1,479,777 are the other SEC teams in the Top 10.
COST OF WINS
Cost per win
The 10 highest college football programs' cost per victory in 2015 based on coaches' pay.
SCHOOL | WINS | SCHOOL PAY | COST PER WIN |
South Carolina | 3 | $7,965,000 | $2,655,000.00 |
Oregon State | 2 | $5,090,300 | $2,545,150.00 |
Purdue | 2 | $4,385,000 | $2,192,500.00 |
North Texas | 1 | $1,874,200 | $1,874,200.00 |
Texas | 5 | $9,005,000 | $1,801,000.00 |
Georgia Tech | 3 | $5,297,865 | $1,765,955.00 |
Maryland | 3 | $4,864,808 | $1,621,602.67 |
Auburn | 6 | $9,420,000 | $1,570,000.00 |
Army | 2 | $3,103,450 | $1,551,725.00 |
Missouri | 5 | $7,398,889 | $1,479,777.85 |