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Here’s who the highest paid Coastal Carolina University employees are

Coastal Carolina University held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Indoor Practice Facility on Wednesday. The 93,000 square foot practice field that was built directly across the street from Brooks Stadium came at the cost of $20 million and is considered the largest donor-funded project in school history. The giant building features a regulation-sized iconic teal turf football field, filming platforms, storage rooms, bath rooms and areas for athletic trainers. After comments from university officials and a ribbon cutting, members of CCU’s football team took to the field along with head football coach Tim Beck to marvel over the space and take selfies inside. Wednesday. June 25, 2025.
Coastal Carolina University held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Indoor Practice Facility on Wednesday. The 93,000 square foot practice field that was built directly across the street from Brooks Stadium came at the cost of $20 million and is considered the largest donor-funded project in school history. The giant building features a regulation-sized iconic teal turf football field, filming platforms, storage rooms, bath rooms and areas for athletic trainers. After comments from university officials and a ribbon cutting, members of CCU’s football team took to the field along with head football coach Tim Beck to marvel over the space and take selfies inside. Wednesday. June 25, 2025. JASON LEE JASON LEE

The highest earners at Coastal Carolina University are in the athletics department for men’s sports, results from a Freedom of Information Act request show.

This is a trend among Division 1 athletic programs in the United States, other research shows. The CCU football program dominates the list, with four coaches making a total of almost $2 million annually.

Here are the highest paid staff members at CCU as of May 7, and their corresponding salaries:

  1. Timothy Beck, Head Football Coach: $1,124,750
  2. Justin Gray, Head Men’s Basketball Coach: $400,000
  3. Chance Miller, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation: $400,000
  4. Kevin Schnall, Head Baseball Coach: $375,768
  5. Jeremiah Johnson, Assistant Football Coach/Defensive Coordinator: $350,000
  6. Andrew Hollingshead, Assistant Football Coach/Offensive Coordinator: $300,000
  7. Alan West, Chief Financial Officer: $282,210
  8. Heyward Gibbs Knotts, Vice President for Academic Affairs: $275,000
  9. Thomas Koczara, Vice President: $275,000
  10. Michael Benson, former CCU President: $254,800
  11. Amanda Bailey, University Counsel: $235,175
  12. Erika Small, Dean: $230,829
  13. Mark Mitchell, Professor/Associate Dean/NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative: $228,783
  14. Derek Warehime, Offensive Run Game Coordinator: $219,837
  15. Kevin Pederson, Head Women’s Basketball Coach: $208,820

A copy of the new president, James Winebrake’s contract states that his base annual salary is $254,800 with an annual housing allowance of $50,000. An IRS approved foundation is also approved to supplement Winebrake’s annual salary to total $575,000, his contract states.

A previous FOIA request by The Sun News showed that Miller is currently under a $400,000 a year contract with the university through 2027.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated how much the foundation would supplement Winebrake’s salary. It’s $270,200 to get the total salary number to $575,000. (Updated on 7/25/2025 at 2:15 p.m.).

This story was originally published July 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

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Elizabeth Brewer
The Sun News
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Elizabeth covers local government and politics in Myrtle Beach and holds truth to power as the accountability reporter. She’s lived in five states and holds a masters degree in Journalism.
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