COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina men's basketball coach has been given a new contract extension that lasts six years and will pay him a total of $26.25 million over the life of the deal.
The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees approved the extension during a meeting Friday morning. It will pay him an average of roughly $4 million a year, with a payout of $5 million in the final year, which would be the 2029-30 season.
“Coaching at the University of South Carolina is such a great match for me, the fit, these players, the community, the other coaches. I am very grateful for this opportunity,” said Paris in a statement after the death was approved. “I am grateful to our Board of Trustees, to Ray Tanner, to President Amiridis and hopefully we can continue to grow this program for a long time. I’m also thankful to our great fans for all of their support. I’ve got a lot of pride in what we’ve done and what we’ve built. I’m incredibly excited to be the coach and represent this University, this athletic department and more specifically, this basketball team. It’s a thrill for me to be able to coach these guys. I love where I am. I’m really fortunate and blessed I get to do this for a profession.”
Paris had previously been paid about $2.4 million a year. His name had been circulated as a possible candidate for other jobs because of his success this season. Under the deal, he would have to pay a buyout to the university of $12.5 million if he were to leave within the next year. That number reduces every year of the contract.
Paris is in his second season with the team has has led a remarkable turnaround in his sophomore campaign. The team has already tied the all-time program record for wins with 26, and still has chances to add to that total in both the ongoing SEC Tournament and the NCAA March Madness Tournament, which starts next week.
USC was picked to finish last before the season began and was coming off a losing season, but the team has already won 15 more games this year. South Carolina also returned to the national rankings this season for the first time since 2017.
The Gamecocks take on Auburn Friday afternoon in the SEC Tournament. On Sunday, they will find out where they will play in the first round of the NCAA men's tournament during the NCAA Selection Show at 6 p.m.