COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mike Shula, the former head coach at Alabama, has been hired as South Carolina’s new offensive coordinator with a three-year contract worth $1.1 million annually.
The school’s board of trustees approved Shula’s contract along with contract extensions and raises for the other nine assistant coaches on Tuesday. Among the new agreements, defensive coordinator Clayton White’s contract was altered to make him the highest-paid assistant in school history, with a salary of $1.9 million for next year, which will rise to $2 million in 2026 and $2.1 million in 2027.
Shula, who joined South Carolina as an offensive analyst in March, will also oversee the quarterbacks. He replaces Dowell Loggains, the former offensive coordinator, who became the head coach at Appalachian State earlier this month.
These agreements follow a successful season for the Gamecocks, who were picked to finish 13th in the expanded Southeastern Conference. They ended up with a 9-3 record and won their last six games, including four victories over ranked teams.
Shula’s task will be to improve the performance of sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who impressed in his first year as a starter. He threw for 1,481 yards and 13 touchdowns during the team’s six-game win streak and added four rushing touchdowns.
South Carolina will face Illinois in the Citrus Bowl on December 31.
Shula, son of the legendary NFL coach Don Shula, played quarterback for Alabama and served as the team’s head coach from 2003 to 2006. Before joining South Carolina, his most recent job was as a senior offensive assistant with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
White’s performance on defense earned him a raise. The Gamecocks finished third in the SEC in total defense (allowing 313 yards per game) and fifth in scoring defense (17.8 points per game). They ranked second in the SEC with 40 sacks, with defensive end Kyle Kennard leading the league with 11.5 sacks.
White’s new contract will keep him at South Carolina until the 2027 season.
Other coaches also received significant raises. Offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley saw his salary increase by $265,000 to $675,000. Receivers coach Mike Furrey’s pay went up by $225,000 to $650,000. Linebackers and defensive ends coach Sterling Lucas received a $200,000 raise, bringing his salary to $775,000. Defensive backs coach Torian Gray earned a $150,000 raise to $850,000, while defensive line coach Travian Robertson’s salary increased by $150,000 to $550,000.
Special teams coach Joe DeCamillis’ salary was raised by $50,000 to $850,000, and tight ends coach Shawn Elliott’s salary went up by $10,000 to $760,000 for next year, with an increase to $775,000 in the final two years of his deal.
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