UA coach Rich Rodriguez is set to meet with South Carolina officials to discuss the Gamecocks' coaching vacancy, according to a report Thursday on FoxSports.com. Reporter Bruce Feldman tweeted that Rodriguez is now in the mix with a half-dozen other coaching candidates to replace Steve Spurrier, who retired midseason.
#Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez is set to meet with #SouthCarolina, source told @FoxSports: https://t.co/nDhfYbM8VK
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 3, 2015Rodriguez's name had previously been mentioned for openings at Virginia Tech and Miami (Fla.), though both jobs have since been filled. Virginia Tech hired away Memphis' Justin Fuente, while Miami turned to former Georgia coach Mark Richt to replace Al Golden. Rodriguez is familiar with the state of South Carolina, even if he has no experience in the Southeastern Conference: He served a Clemson's offensive coordinator from 1999-2000 before being named head coach at West Virginia.
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South Carolina could presumably pay more than Arizona. Spurrier made $4.028 million last season, according to the USA Today coaching salary database. Rodriguez made $3.23 million after bonuses, though he is scheduled to receive 25 percent of an estimated $6 million retention bonus next June.
Rodriguez is 32-20 in four seasons at the UA. He led the Wildcats to a Pac-12 South championship and Fiesta Bowl berth last season. The Wildcats (6-6) will learn their bowl fate Sunday, when postseason bids are announced.
This story will be updated.
