Ray Tanner introduced as new USC athletic director; $675,000 salary

  • Gene Sapakoff
    • Twitter
  • Posted: Friday, July 13, 2012 3:42 p.m.
    UPDATED: Friday, July 13, 2012 11:11 p.m.
  • Text size: A A A
South Carolina coach Ray Tanner, shown here before the start of the College World Series in Omaha, was named the school's athletic director Friday, July 13. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

COLUMBIA - Ray Tanner was officially introduced as the University of South Carolina’s new athletic director Friday after the school’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $675,000 annual salary, roughly equal to what Tanner made as head baseball coach.

Citing his belief that “winning is contagious” and beaming, USC President Dr. Harris Pastides said Tanner’s management experience – six years as an assistant AD at N.C. State – made the two-time College World Series winning coach an easy choice.

Tanner, 54, went 738-316 in 16 seasons as baseball coach with six College World Series trips, including the last three in a row. Tanner replaces Eric Hyman, who resigned two weeks ago to become the athletic director at Southeastern Conference newcomer Texas A&M.

“This might be the biggest change for me, to put the necktie on on a regular basis,” Tanner said, looking down at his garnet and black tie.

Tanner confirmed the second worst-kept secret in town: that associate head coach Chad Holbrook officially will be named head baseball coach on Monday at an 11 a.m. news conference.

Follow Gene Sapakoff on Twitter @sapakoff

Comments { }

Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.