The Gamecocks still have the Belk Bowl to play in but after a 7 win season Will Muschamp and some members of his staff will be around a little longer in Columbia.
Coach Muschamp is set to receive a 1-year extension which will put him through the 2024 season. He will make 5.4 million dollars in 2024.
Maybe the biggest new deal that has brought to the USC board of trustees was USC offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon. His name is growing as a candidate for head coaching and other coordinator positions but he is tabbed for a two-year extension and a $350,000 raise per year through 2021.
McClendon now joins defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson as a one million-dollar coordinator for USC. Robinson will not get a raise but he will get a one-year extension that will carry him until 2021. His original deal has him earning a little over a million dollars at the end of the 2020 season.
Dan Werner, the quarterbacks coach, is slated to be extended until the 2020 season and will earn $700,000 per year after a $200,000 raise.
The Gamecocks offense has produced some nice numbers despite a disappointing season. They posted 600 yards in back to back games for the first time ever in program history and one of those games was at No.2 Clemson.
Jake Bentley finished the regular season as the fifth best passer in the SEC in yards, completion percentage and completions. His 27 touchdowns were second most in the conference.
“It’s always important from a continuity standpoint. That’s essential, to keep really good coaches, and Bryan’s a really good football coach on a lot of fronts. I think number one, schematically, (he) does a really nice job with our offense. Number two, (he) does a great job relating within our staff and our players and obviously does a fantastic job developing players when they get on campus and recruiting players to our campus. I think the continuity of where we’re trying to go and as far as creating that championship culture I thought was very important," Muschamp said."
Muschamp added, "I appreciate the Board and Coach Tanner and their support, which has been great in our three years here. It’s been fantastic, and I really appreciate their support."
This new deals will keep the momentum that McClendon and Werner have developed with the offense going for the next few years. This is crucial given that highly touted quarterback Ryan Hilinski and 2020 QB Luke Doty are pledged to USC.
Six other assistants, including running backs coach Bobby Bentley and tight ends coach Pat Washington have contracts set to expire in May.
Coach Muschamp also noted that these new deals don't recognize mediocrity
"I do want everyone to know that we’re not celebrating seven wins, so let’s make sure that we make that crystal clear. We needed to keep the continuity of what I think is a really good coaching staff. I appreciate the Board and Coach Tanner recognizing that.”
All the new deals will be finalized and approved at a later session from the board of trustees.