Serious candidates to replace Paris?

[18IsTheMan]

It's a foregone conclusion that Paris is gone after this season. Buyout or no buyout, we can't afford to have him back. He's responsible for 3 of our most disastrously awful seasons....ever.

I start by dispatching of my personal favorite: Gregg Marshall. Yes, I think he'd do a great job. He's attainable. He's a fantastic teacher of the game and he's all but a lock to turn us into a NCAAT team. But I know it's not happening.

I would pass on Mike Boynton, who is a popular mention for the job. He did ok-ish at OSU but had a losing conference record and just a smidge over .500 overall.

I don't follow college basketball closely enough to know who might be a good fit. Thankfully we have an AD now who I think can get us in conversations with good candidates (a la Briles with football). I don't see us pulling a head coach like we did with Frank Martin. I would guess the safest route might be the mid-major route again? Horn seemed like a quality candidate at the time. Interestingly, of the 3 teams he's coached, we're the only one he hasn't led to the NCAAT. I can't fault the Horn hire. He was young and seemed to be a rising coach in the ranks, having lead WKU to two NIT and the Sweet 16. We jumped WAY too quick on Paris, though. He led Chattanooga to the NCAAT on the weight of a miracle 3 at the buzzer in their conference championship game and then got bounced in the round of 64.

The other option is a major conference college assistant. No idea who to target there.

 

[lexgamecock]

The only coaches to succeed here were winners in a MAJOR conference.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

No to Marshall, Has been out of coaching for over 5 years, and WAAYYY to much negative baggage. Very serious allegations, which forced his resignation.

 

[18IsTheMan]

The only coaches to succeed here were winners in a MAJOR conference.

With the state our program is currently in, who could we get from a major conference?

I guess Donati is the wild card here.

 

[18IsTheMan]

No to Marshall, Has been out of coaching for over 5 years, and WAAYYY to much negative baggage. Very serious allegations, which forced his resignation.

Well, your point is moot since I didn't suggest Marshall here. I actually said he won't be a candidate. But anyway, since you went there...

Oh, no! Someone made a YouTube video!!! lol, yeah, people whined about Bobby Knight, too. Gasp! He grabbed a student by the arm!!! :clutch pearls and faint:

Texas Tech said "whatever", hired him and went to 4 NCAAT in 7 seasons (it took 25 years prior to that to make 4 NCAAT). We were hiring at the same TTU was. Our fans at the time said the same things about Knight. He's unhireable! He yelled and threw a chair!!! So we went with NIT Dave instead.

 

[RUMMENIGGE]

 

[RUMMENIGGE]

Well, your point is moot since I didn't suggest Marshall here. I actually said he won't be a candidate. But anyway, since you went there...

Oh, no! Someone made a YouTube video!!! lol, yeah, people whined about Bobby Knight, too. Gasp! He grabbed a student by the arm!!! :clutch pearls and faint:

Texas Tech said "whatever", hired him and went to 4 NCAAT in 7 seasons (it took 25 years prior to that to make 4 NCAAT). We were hiring at the same TTU was. Our fans at the time said the same things about Knight. He's unhireable! He yelled and threw a chair!!! So we went with NIT Dave instead.

I still think character and treating people like human beings should be indicators when hiring a coach. How many players would transfer out of South Carolina or would refuse to sign or transfer to South Carolina if Rice is hired at South Carolina?






https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=mike+rice+basketball&&mid=2E41DEB82EE1DCBF81992E41DEB82EE1DCBF8199&churl=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC52X5wxOL_s5yw0dQk7NtgA&FORM=VRDGAR

 

[18IsTheMan]

I still think character and treating people like human beings should be indicators when hiring a coach. How many players would transfer out of South Carolina or would refuse to sign or transfer to South Carolina if Rice is hired at South Carolina?

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=mike+rice+basketball&&mid=2E41DEB82EE1DCBF81992E41DEB82EE1DCBF8199&churl=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC52X5wxOL_s5yw0dQk7NtgA&FORM=VRDGAR

I don't really see anything that egregious in the video. I've seen videos of Nick Saban grabbing players by the jersey and putting them in the proper stance, position or whatever.

Players have gone SOFT. It's not like he hauled off and punched a guy in the face.

 

[3USC1801]

With the state our program is currently in, who could we get from a major conference?

I guess Donati is the wild card here.

I’m in the same category as yourself. . . I don’t know the MBB market enough to suggest a coach. Donati has to get it right or he’ll be added to the list of AD’s that failed to elevate the program.

 

[RUMMENIGGE]

I don't really see anything that egregious in the video. I've seen videos of Nick Saban grabbing players by the jersey and putting them in the proper stance, position or whatever.

Players have gone SOFT. It's not like he hauled off and punched a guy in the face.

I think if this was done in the public this might be considered as assault

 

[18IsTheMan]

I think if this was done in the public this might be considered as assault

But it wasn't done in public. Coaches have always pushed, shoved, grabbed players in practice. Or at least used to. I don't even see any real "shoving".

Anyway, I don't think anyone has suggested Rice.

 

[muscleknight]

Bruce Pearl. Daddy vs son

 

[18IsTheMan]

Bruce Pearl. Daddy vs son

He can certainly coach.

 

[RUMMENIGGE]

But it wasn't done in public. Coaches have always pushed, shoved, grabbed players in practice. Or at least used to. I don't even see any real "shoving".

Anyway, I don't think anyone has suggested Rice.

I am not trying to be ugly, but there is stuff that has happened in the 19th and 20th century that is very unacceptable in today's world. When I see coach does nothing but scream at players all that means is the coach cannot handle pressure and stress that comes with the job.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Well, your point is moot since I didn't suggest Marshall here. I actually said he won't be a candidate. But anyway, since you went there...

Oh, no! Someone made a YouTube video!!! lol, yeah, people whined about Bobby Knight, too. Gasp! He grabbed a student by the arm!!! :clutch pearls and faint:

Texas Tech said "whatever", hired him and went to 4 NCAAT in 7 seasons (it took 25 years prior to that to make 4 NCAAT). We were hiring at the same TTU was. Our fans at the time said the same things about Knight. He's unhireable! He yelled and threw a chair!!! So we went with NIT Dave instead.

This went way beyond throwing chairs, he punched one of his own players in the head and neck area, and the next year choked an assistant coach.
There is no defending that behavior.

 

[Creek Snake]

I thought Bruce Pearl as well.If there ever been a coach built for today’s rules it Pearl.

 

[18IsTheMan]

This went way beyond throwing chairs, he punched one of his own players in the head and neck area, and the next year choked an assistant coach.
There is no defending that behavior.

Allegedly.

I think the fact that Marshall resigned, and was not fired, and that Wichita State paid him a substantial buyout sheds some light on the credibility of the claims. WSU settled for paying about half of his $15 million buyout if fired without case. Why would you pay a guy $7.75 million if what he did was really that terrible. If as horrific as you say, it should have been slam dunk "for cause" firing. He wasn't even fired.

Probably he was a jerk. Neither side wanted to deal with the constant media coverage that comes with stuff like this now.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Allegedly.

Seriously dude ?

 

[18IsTheMan]

Seriously dude ?

Have you seen proof?

If it was verified that he punched a player, that's as easy a "for cause" firing as you'll see. Why did they pay him $7.75 million?

 

[JohnnySolo]

I want the dirtiest MF that will cheat as much as possible. There are no rules! *takes off shirt - gets yelled at to put shirt back on- There's one rule*

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Have you seen proof?

If it was verified that he punched a player, that's as easy a "for cause" firing as you'll see. Why did they pay him $7.75 million?

Yes, of course you are right, he is a most noble, upright citizen and pillar of his community.
Really a curiosity why he hasn't been employed in over 5 years. Can't understand why.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Yes, of course you are right, he is a most noble, upright citizen and pillar of his community.
Really a curiosity why he hasn't been employed in over 5 years. Can't understand why.

Maybe b/c he's getting paid $48,076 every 2 weeks to do nothing.

If he's as guilty as you say, why would WSU be paying him $7.5 million? Please explain.

 

[Evilchicken]

 

[Mr. Belvedere]

There is no one that will be able to change anything wholesale. You guys can throw out every name in the book. We will get another Paris type coach, he might have a solid first or second year with post season, and then back to this. College bball is in a really bad spot right now and getting worse. Not sure if anyone here even realizes that. It's not 1997 or 2007 for that matter.

 

[Skuddy]

If our administration wouldn't hire Marshall back when he was in our own back yard and then wouldn't go after him when he was winning big at Wichita, they certainly won't go after him now with all of the perceived baggage he has now.

Are there any choir boy candidates out there that can actually win at SC?

 

[Sleepyhead]

Jay Wright

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Maybe b/c he's getting paid $48,076 every 2 weeks to do nothing.

If he's as guilty as you say, why would WSU be paying him $7.5 million? Please explain.

I am not associated in even the most fleeting of circumstances with any aspect of Wichita State athletics, so I am in no position to explain their rationale for any of their expenditures

 

[18IsTheMan]

I am not associated in even the most fleeting of circumstances with any aspect of Wichita State athletics

Yet you're confident enough to state what transgressions he's guilty of?

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Yet you're confident enough to state what transgressions he's guilty of?

Stating as to what has been reported from an internal investigation by WSU, and speaking to the expenditures of an athletic department are two entirely and completely different entities.

On another note, why the excessive exercise in defending Marshall. After resigning in disgrace, and 5 years of unemployment, it obvious he has become persona non grata.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Stating as to what has been reported from an internal investigation by WSU, and speaking to the expenditures of an athletic department are two entirely and completely different entities.

On another note, why the excessive exercise in defending Marshall. After resigning in disgrace, and 5 years of unemployment, it obvious he has become persona non grata.

Marshall was not the intended focus of the thread. If you'll refer to the OP, I stated that I was dispatching of the notion to consider Marshall and that he would not be a candidate.

But you oddly chose Marshall as the only thing to comment on. So I responded to what you posted.

But I gotcha. You're an expert only on those aspects of WSU athletics that you want to believe. If, as you stated above, you are not "associated in even the most fleeting of circumstances with any aspect of Wichita State athletics", then why would WSUs statements of what happened carry any more or less weight than Marshall's denial?

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Marshall was not the intended focus of the thread. If you'll refer to the OP, I stated that I was dispatching of the notion to consider Marshall and that he would not be a candidate.

But you oddly chose Marshall as the only thing to comment on. So I responded to what you posted.

But I gotcha. You're an expert only on those aspects of WSU athletics that you want to believe. If, as you stated above, you are not "associated in even the most fleeting of circumstances with any aspect of Wichita State athletics", then why would WSUs statements of what happened carry any more or less weight than Marshall's denial?

At this point you are intent on being eristic.
Carry on

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

Here's ChatGPT's answer to the OP question

Summary — Best Fits by Category​

Category	Strong Candidates
Immediate credibility (Power 5 proven)	Mike Boynton, Dennis Gates, Matt McMahon
Mid-major rising talent	Alan Huss, Dustin Kerns, Bob Richey
Local / internal culture fit	USC assistants, BJ McKie
High-profile veteran (long shot)	Rick Pitino (if available & interested)

Full response below

Here’s a helpful look at realistic and strong coaching candidates who could be good fits to lead the University of South Carolina men’s basketball program if they choose to make a change — either now or in the future. (Some of these names have been discussed historically by analysts and fans; others are mid-major rising stars who could step up to the SEC.) Since South Carolina currently has Lamont Paris as head coach for the 2025-26 season, but his job status has been a topic of debate among insiders given the program’s recent struggles, imagining future options isn’t out of bounds.

---

Proven and Established Coaches (SEC / Power 5 Experience)​

These coaches have experience in major conferences and could provide immediate credibility and recruiting punch.

• Mike Boynton (Oklahoma State) – Has Power 5 head coaching experience and ties to South Carolina (spent time as an assistant under Darrin Horn). Seen in past lists of potential targets for USC due to his experience and SEC familiarity.
• Dennis Gates – Turned around Cleveland State and later coached at Missouri; known as a strong recruiter and rising name nationally. Suggested previously as a candidate for USC’s vacancy after Frank Martin was let go.
• Matt McMahon – Has been linked to higher-profile job openings (e.g., LSU in past cycles) after success at Murray State; could be a solid mid-major jump candidate.

---

Mid-Major Breakout Coaches​

These coaches have built success at smaller programs and could bring fresh energy and under-the-radar recruiting:

• Alan Huss (High Point) – Experienced coach with strong recent records, including NCAA tournament appearances; fits the profile of up-and-coming coaches whom Power 5 programs sometimes pursue.
• Dustin Kerns (Appalachian State, formerly) – From regional mid-major circles with local recruiting ties and building programs in the Carolinas; noted historically as a potential candidate for bigger jobs.
• Bob Richey (Furman) – Consistently successful at the mid-major level and often floated by fans as a realistic target before; strong defensive coaching and player development pedigree.

---

Current USC & Local Ties​

Internal promotion or hiring someone with strong South Carolina ties can be valuable, especially for grassroots recruiting and culture fit:

• Assistant Coaches at USC – Promoting a strong assistant from within (like a lead recruiter or coordinator) can help continuity and retention. Historically, local assistants and former Gamecock players have drawn fan interest.
• BJ McKie – Former Gamecock star and current assistant coach (previously discussed among fans as a candidate because of his local ties and program identity).

---

Long-Shot / Experienced Names (If USC Wants a Show-Stopper)​

If USC wanted a high-profile coach willing to step into a rebuilding project:

• Veteran head coaches with a track record of turnarounds (e.g., someone like Rick Pitino) could be intriguing, but such hires are rare and would depend on fit and desire to coach college again. Recent discussions around national coaching futures show interest from veteran coaches in select opportunities.

---

What USC Should Prioritize​

No matter who’s considered, these traits are key for success with the Gamecocks:


Recruiting strength
South Carolina hasn’t historically been a recruiting powerhouse, so a coach who can land SEC-caliber talent (and keep South Carolina natives at home) is critical.


Player development & culture building
Turning around recent performance requires a coach who can develop players and create buy-in quickly.


SEC experience or strong mid-major success
Whether through Power 5 coaching or dominating at mid-majors, the coach should have a track record of success against top competition.

 

[Sweetwatergolf]

Marshall was not the intended focus of the thread. If you'll refer to the OP, I stated that I was dispatching of the notion to consider Marshall and that he would not be a candidate.

But you oddly chose Marshall as the only thing to comment on. So I responded to what you posted.

But I gotcha. You're an expert only on those aspects of WSU athletics that you want to believe. If, as you stated above, you are not "associated in even the most fleeting of circumstances with any aspect of Wichita State athletics", then why would WSUs statements of what happened carry any more or less weight than Marshall's denial?

I think many are tired of hearing his name brought up as "the savior" of our MBB. As mentioned by others, he's been out of coaching for several years, nobody wants him including "blue blood " programs during their coaching searches.
I'm on board of the theory until we increase NIL to MBB, not much will change.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I think many are tired of hearing his name brought up as "the savior" of our MBB. As mentioned by others, he's been out of coaching for several years, nobody wants him including "blue blood " programs during their coaching searches.
I'm on board of the theory until we increase NIL to MBB, not much will change.

He was not brought up as the savior of the program in this thread. He was only mentioned to say that he would not be a candidate.

 

[18IsTheMan]

At this point you are intent on being eristic.
Carry on

It takes two to erist

 

[Sweetwatergolf]

He was not brought up as the savior of the program in this thread. He was only mentioned to say that he would not be a candidate.

You missed my point. Just the constant mention of his name is a mute point to most. He didn't get the job here years ago for whatever reason. Time to move on.......go back to your Dabo threads and quit trolling everyone.

 

[Blues man]

There is no one that will be able to change anything wholesale. You guys can throw out every name in the book. We will get another Paris type coach, he might have a solid first or second year with post season, and then back to this. College bball is in a really bad spot right now and getting worse. Not sure if anyone here even realizes that. It's not 1997 or 2007 for that matter.

I tend to agree. That said, the one thing I do like is because every player is basically signed to a one year deal, there is virtually no chance a coach is hired with keeping players in mind. Same goes with recruits. You don't get into a five or seven year deal with a coach for a guy who may not be here after next season. I kinda like that not being part of the equation anymore.

 

[adcoop]

But it wasn't done in public. Coaches have always pushed, shoved, grabbed players in practice. Or at least used to. I don't even see any real "shoving".

Anyway, I don't think anyone has suggested Rice.

You can't do that stuff anymore. Players have the means to lawyer up these days. You need coaches now that can teach without the intimidation, threats, and sometimes physical abuse of the past. Being able to adapt to the climate of today is not being soft. It's called being smart and surviving.

 

[KingWard]

That's kinda low.

 

[Gr8spur]

I'll coach them for 1/2 of Paris' salary and put the other half into extra NIL. And I'll personally guarantee a trip to the NCAA in my first year, or you can terminate my contract with no buyout. The AD can PM me if interested.