Fresh off a 7-6 campaign and a victory over North Carolina at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, several members of the USC football staff were rewarded by the University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees on Friday.
Defensive coordinator Clayton White had his salary bumped from $900,000 to $1.1 million by the board, while special teams coordinator Pete Lembo, running backs coach Montario Hardesty, receivers coach Justin Stepp, defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey and head strength and conditioning coach Luke Day had one-year extensions and raises approved at the meeting.
Here are the details of the contracts approved by the USC BOT:
- Clayton White (DC): From $900,000 to $1.1 million
- Justin Stepp (WRs): From $460,000 to $475,000 (Year 1) and $525,000 (Year 2)
- Pete Lembo (ST): From $450,000 to $465,000
- Jimmy Lindsey (DL): From $350,000 to $375,000
- Montario Hardesty (RBs): From $300,000 to $350,000
- Luke Day (Strength and Conditioning): From $400,000 to $425,000
Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield, offensive line coach Greg Adkins and defensive backs coach Torrian Gray were the only on-field assistant coaches who did not have their contracts adjusted on Friday. Satterfield and Adkins head into 2022 with just one-year remaining on their deals that will pay salaries of $900,000 and $550,000, respectively. Gray is entering the second year of a three-year agreement that had a built-in raise from $350,000 to $475,000.
New tight ends coach Jody Wright also had a two-year contract approved by the Board on Friday. Wright, who is replacing Erik Kimrey, will be paid $350,000 in Year 1 of the deal and $400,000 in Year 2.
Wright comes to Carolina after spending the past two seasons in the NFL with the New York Football Giants. He joined the Giants’ staff as a defensive assistant coach working with the linebackers in 2020, and this past season worked as an offensive assistant working with the running backs under head coach Joe Judge. Prior to his stint with the Giants, Wright spent one year (2019) with the Cleveland Browns as an offensive assistant working with the running backs under Head Coach Freddie Kitchens. He last worked at the collegiate level in 2018 at UAB, serving as the Blazers’ assistant head coach/running game coordinator/offensive line coach.
