Lamont Paris will reportedly enter the SEC men’s basketball tournament with a new contract.
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, South Carolina gave Paris an extension that runs through the 2029-30 season. Pending the school board’s approval on Friday, he’ll make $4 million per season.
Paris was named SEC Coach of the Year after leading the Gamecocks to a 25-6 record in his second season. They notched their most SEC wins (13) since going 15-1 inside the conference in 1996-97.
After going 11-21 in the head coach’s debut, South Carolina capped off a remarkably improved regular season with a 93-89 overtime win over Mississippi State. The program, which ranked as high as No. 11, is currently No. 15.
South Carolina’s success made Paris a popular name in a prominent coaching search. The Ohio native emerged as a candidate for Ohio State’s vacancy, but the 49-year-old won’t leave to replace Chris Holtmann.
Formerly the SEC’s lowest-paid men’s basketball head coach, Paris has reportedly locked down a long-term deal right as the Gamecocks look to make noise this March. South Carolina, which made the Final Four in 2017, is poised to make its second NCAA tournament appearance in the last 20 seasons.
First, the Gamecocks will attempt to win their first-ever SEC title. They’ll start by facing Arkansas in Thursday’s second-round matchup at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.