South Carolina baseball coach Ray Tanner realized it was time for a change more than ten years ago when his baseball program was thriving. Recently, even with South Carolina athletics showing progress, Tanner felt the same need for change in his role as athletic director.
Tanner, who is 66, announced on Friday that he would step down after the fall semester, ending over 12 years as one of the longest-serving ADs in the Southeastern Conference.
“There was going to be a time” to make a change, Tanner said. “When I coached baseball, I didn’t leave because I thought the program was failing; it was simply the right time. And I knew it was getting close to the right time in this role as well.”
Tanner was chosen to lead the athletic department after achieving national championships in 2010 and 2011 and almost winning a third before losing to Arizona in 2012.
He is leaving as South Carolina sports seem to be improving.
The women’s basketball team visited the White House this week after winning its third national title and, under coach Dawn Staley, is expected to be a strong contender for another NCAA Tournament win.
Tanner hired former LSU national championship baseball coach Paul Manieri this summer to bring success back to the Gamecocks’ baseball program.
He also extended a long-term contract to men’s basketball coach Lamont Paris after he led the Gamecocks to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in seven years.
Additionally, the football team is doing well, with a sold-out game against No. 16 LSU on Saturday and ESPN’s “College GameDay” in town.
“I was somewhat hesitant about today myself, because we do have a lot going on,” Tanner said. “But, again, there never is a perfect time. But it is, it’s not a sad day, it’s a happy day.”
Tanner had been discussing his future with university president Michael Amiridis over the past few months. As the discussions continued, Tanner felt there was a growing chance that the news would come out before both parties were ready.
ESPN’s Rece Davis, host of “College GameDay,” mentioned on Friday from Columbia that he has already received some interest from people asking about the open athletic director position, though he did not name anyone.
A national search for a new athletic director will start at the end of November, according to university president Amiridis.
Tanner will continue to receive his current salary of $1.175 million until June 30, 2025. In the following year, he will earn $987,500, and in the final year of his contract, he will make $800,000. His contract runs until June 30, 2028, unless it is extended by mutual written agreement, as stated in Amiridis’s letter confirming Tanner’s decision to step down as AD and transition to a new role.
Tanner’s time at South Carolina has included both successes and challenges.
Under coach Dawn Staley, the women’s basketball team won three national titles in 2017, 2022, and most recently in 2024. Tanner, who was still the baseball coach when Staley joined the team before the 2008-09 season, played a role in keeping her at South Carolina despite other opportunities.
During his 12 years as athletic director, Tanner hired two full-time football coaches as the program aimed to progress in the tough SEC.
Will Muschamp was the coach from 2017 until he was dismissed before the end of the 2020 season. His record was 28-30 overall and 17-22 in the SEC.
Current coach Shane Beamer was hired in December 2020 and has achieved two winning seasons in his first three years.
Tanner said he felt honored to have been at South Carolina for nearly 30 years and is glad to continue contributing in a different capacity. When a new athletic director is chosen, Tanner will take on the role of athletic director emeritus and presidential advisor, focusing on fundraising and community involvement.
Board of Trustees chairman Thad Westbrook expressed his appreciation for Tanner’s continued commitment to the university, noting that while Tanner does not have a degree from South Carolina, his dedication to the university is unmatched.
Tanner joined South Carolina in 1996 as a baseball coach and led the team to six College World Series appearances.
He mentioned that his successor would need to be adaptable in the fast-evolving world of college athletics.
