South Carolina officially hires Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator, adds veteran running backs coach, offensive line coach

On Thursday, the University of South Carolina and its Board of Trustees held a meeting. The only item on the agenda: “Approval of Athletics Personnel Contracts.”

Over the past week, GamecockCentral has reported that TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, TCU assistant offensive line coach Randy Clements, and Penn State running backs coach Stan Drayton were likely on their way to join the South Carolina football program.

When Thursday’s board meeting concluded, USC had contracts in place for all three new assistant coaches.

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Briles will earn $2 million for three years to be the Gamecocks’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His deal will grow by $100,000 each season. There are also incentives in place in the contract.

If South Carolina were to fire Briles, he will be owed his entire contract value. He will owe USC the entire value of the contract if he leaves on his own volition during the first six months of the deal. If Briles left the school later in year one, he will be required to pay a buyout of $1.5 million. In year two, that number would drop to $1.05 million. It would also shift down to $550,000 in year three. A move to become a head coach would not result in a buyout.

For Clements, the offensive line coach title will come with a $725,000 salary for two seasons. Some incentives could increase that paycheck, as well.

Clements will earn 85% of his contract if bought out in year one and 75% of his contract if bought out in year two. If he leaves on his own in the first six months, he will pay $1.45 million to USC. A departure later in year one would result in Clements owing a $543,250 buyout. If he buys out his own contract in year two, he will owe the university $362,500. A move to a coordinator of head coaching position will not trigger the buyout.

Drayton will get three years with the Gamecocks, and his contract will be worth $775,000 before potential incentives. He will be South Carolina’s assistant head coach for offense.

Drayton’s buyout details are identical to Clements through two years if initiated by South Carolina. If relieved of duties in year three, Drayton will be owed 65% of his contract value. If he leaves for another non-head coaching or coordinator gig, Drayton will owe $2.325 million in the first six months of his deal, $581,250 if later in year one, $387,500 in year two, and $193,750 in year three.

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With head coach Shane Beamer bringing on Briles, Clements, and Drayton, South Carolina’s existing coaching staff is shifting. Beamer fired offensive coordinator Mike Shula, offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley, and running backs coach Marquel Blackwell at various points this fall. Briles, Clements, and Drayton will fill those spots.

Two coaches retained on the staff will slide into their previous roles.

Mike Furrey, who was the team’s interim playcaller following Shula’s dismissal this fall, returns to his previous job as the program’s wide receivers coach. He will retain his passing game coordinator title.

Shawn Elliott will also resume his duties as the team’s primary tight ends coach. He slid over to an interim offensive line role when Beamer let go of Teasley in October. He will retain his run game coordinator title.

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