For three years, the University of South Florida’s football assistants have been among the lowest paid in the BCS. Last season, for instance, five of USF’s nine assistants were the lowest paid at their respective positions, including offensive coordinator Greg Gregory, who made less than all 12 offensive coordinators in Conference USA, the Bulls’ former league.

On Tuesday, the Bulls’ assistants got a hefty raise as part of Coach Jim Leavitt’s new seven-year, $12.6 million deal he signed in March.

Leavitt’s new deal included an additional $200,000 for his assistants on top of an already $100,000 scheduled raise, increasing USF’s assistants pool to $1.25 million for the 2008-09 school year. While it is a substantial increase, USF’s $1.25 million assistant’s salary pool for the upcoming 2008-09 school year still ranks below the 2007-08 average for Big East Conference assistants, which was $1.29 million according to a national salary survey obtained by The Tampa Tribune.

But, at least, the Bulls continue to make progress.

The biggest beneficiary is defensive coordinator Wally Burnham, who received a $55,000 increase this year from $165,000 to $220,000. Gregory also received a healthy bump from $120,000 to $160,000, as did WRs coach Mike Canales, who got a $50,000 raise to $150,000.

Here’s a look at USF’s assistants’ new 2008 salaries (followed by 2007 figures):

Wally Burnham, defensive coordinator $220,000 ($165,000)
Greg Gregory, offensive coordinator $160,000 ($120,000)
Carl Franks, running backs $150,000 ($120,000)
Mike Canales, wide receivers $150,000 ($100,000)
Troy Douglas, secondary $130,000 ($95,000)
Mike Simmonds, offensive line $100,000 ($65,000)
Larry Scott, tight ends $90,000 ($50,000)
x-John Hendrick, defensive line $120,000
x-Kevin Patrick, defensive end $90,000

x-Hendrick and Patrick figures are for this year only. They were not on USF’s staff last year. All salary information provided by USF. The assistants’ salaries add up to $1.19 million, meaning there’s another $60,000 not attributed to the correct assistant(s) and/or another individual. I will update this when I am provided this information from USF.