Tracy Rocker will have to pay South Carolina buyout figure after leaving for Auburn

Tracy Rocker’s reported departure from South Carolina as defensive line coach will bring a price tag for him — or his future employer — to pay. Much like Mike Bobo and Will Friend, who were reportedly on the contractual hook for a combined $300,000, Rocker will be responsible for $100,000.

That reporting comes from Mike Gillespie of ABC-Columbia, who noted the buyout figure since Rocker left after his contract was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Multiple media outlets have reported that Rocker has left South Carolina and is likely headed to Auburn where Bobo and Friend also left the Gamecocks to coach. Other reports have questioned the timeline and contract language of the agreements between the school and these coaches, and if it depends on their role at Auburn.

The Big Spur, for example, reported that Friend did have clauses in his buyout that he would not have to pay a buyout to the school if he left for a coordinator role with play-calling duties at the college or NFL level, or if he became a head coach. His position at Auburn does not meet the qualifications.

The new term sheets at South Carolina include a $200,000 buyout for Bobo and a $100,000 buyout for Friend if they leave.

Not sure if that’ll count as a signed contract, but you figure Auburn would pay those buyouts. https://t.co/dvHR3nCL5Y

— Chris Vannini 😷 (@ChrisVannini) January 7, 2021

It looks like Shane Beamer will have to circle back around on a couple of staff positions just approved by the BOT this week. Bobo’s new deal included a $200,000 out clause on his end but that may not have been inked yet. https://t.co/kU9BLIb9wT

— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) January 7, 2021

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.