The University of South Carolina is looking for a new athletics director after it was announced last week that current AD Ray Tanner would be stepping into a new role. 

Tanner has been the school’s athletics director for 12 years. During that time he oversaw six national championships, 14 coaching hires and record fundraising and revenue for the athletics department. 

2024 was a big year for the program. Besides winning the women’s basketball national title, the school hired four new coaches to lead the baseball, softball, equestrian and men’s golf teams. 

It was also a big year financially for the program, which surpassed $20 million in annual fundraising for the first time last year, according to a university press release. Since taking over, Tanner oversaw an 80 percent increase in athletics revenue. 

Instead of stepping away completely, Tanner will transition into an advisor to the university’s President Michael Amiridis. He will remain on as athletics director until the program finds a replacement. 

“I'm humbled and honored that I have had the great fortune to be a part of this wonderful university and that will continue,” Tanner said. “For a while now, I have thought there's going to come a time for Carolina to get a new athletics director, and the president and I have had those conversations. There was interest for me to remain at the university. I agreed to stay in a new role because of my passion for this university, this city and this state.”

The announcement came a day before one of the biggest football games for the program in a decade. College Gameday came to town for the Saturday contest between South Carolina and LSU. Tanner’s announcement was not made to steal the spotlight but to prevent the information from leaking beforehand. 

“I am at a point where the timing is right for me,” Tanner said. “I've always said if more than one person knows something that's not a secret, and the conversations were occurring.”

President Amiridis said he was initially hesitant about the change but accepted Tanner’s decision. 

“I was reluctant to accept Ray’s decision because of what he has accomplished and means to the Gamecock community,” Amiridis said. “Ray serves USC with such integrity and devotion and sets high standards in developing student-athletes and enhancing fan experiences. I am very pleased that the Board of Trustees agreed to have Ray continue his commitment to the university from a different position.” 

Tanner’s position change was unanimously approved by the board of trustees. His new contract was approved on Sept. 12 and runs through June 2028. 

“Ray is a legend at the University of South Carolina, and we've been fortunate to have him,” said Thad Westbrook, the university’s Board of Trustees Chairman. “He is leaving the athletics director position when the athletics department is in a very good place, and after a very successful year, particularly with a women’s basketball national championship and several outstanding coaching hires. I am pleased that Ray will continue to be a part of the university.”

Tanner first arrived at South Carolina in 1997 as the head baseball coach. Under his leadership the Gamecock baseball team reached new heights, winning over 700 games in that period. Tanner and the Gamecocks won three SEC regular season titles, one SEC tournament title and most importantly, two national titles in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011. He also earned multiple Coach of the Year honors, including National Coach of the Year three times in 2000, 2010 and 2011. 

“I loved my experience as a baseball coach and as an administrator. I'm grateful to have been able to work here for such a long time,” Tanner said. “I married a Gamecock and my three children grew up as Gamecocks. My time here is something I have never taken for granted.”

The search for a replacement athletics director will begin after the conclusion of the fall semester. Amiridis said he is looking for an experienced leader who has respect in the world of collegiate athletics.