South Carolina hires offensive assistant Coley, gives raise and extension to linebackers coach Lucas

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina hired former Texas A&M and Georgia offensive coordinator James Coley on Friday.

The school's board of trustees approved a two-year contract through the 2025 season worth $1.5 million.

Coley will serve as the team's receivers coach while Justin Stepp moves from receivers to coach tight ends.

Former tight ends coach Jody Wright became Murray State head coach earlier this week.

Coley has spent the past four seasons with the Aggies under Jimbo Fisher, where he worked with receivers for two seasons before becoming co-offensive coordinator and taking over the tight ends the past two years.

Coley will earn $650,000 this coming season and $850,000 in 2025. He and Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer were on Georgia coach Kirby Smart's staff in 2016-17.

The trustees also approved a raise and one-year extension for defensive ends and outside linebackers coach Sterling Lucas, who had his salary increased by $100,000 to $575,000 through 2025. Sterling has spent the past two seasons with the Gamecocks.

South Carolina has one staff spot open after running backs coach Montario Hardesty was let go earlier this month.

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