COLUMBIA - Ray Tanner, the former South Carolina athletic director and a pivotal figure in transforming the Gamecocks into a national championship baseball powerhouse, was recently honored with an induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. While the occasion celebrated his achievements, Tanner found himself addressing a pressing question on the minds of many fans: "Why are USC's major sports struggling?"
Tanner's response was candid and insightful. "It is cyclical.
I believe that. It happens that way," he remarked, standing in the press box of the field named after him.
"There are ups and downs."
Reflecting on the recent struggles, Tanner pointed to the men's basketball team, which had seen a steep decline. Just a couple of years ago, Coach Lamont Paris led the team to 26 wins.
Tanner asked, "Did he forget how to coach? No.
I mean, things happen, for whatever reason."
Indeed, the cyclical nature of sports was evident. When Jeremiah Donati took over as athletic director in early 2025, the men's basketball team was in the midst of a challenging SEC season. Paris, who had been named SEC Coach of the Year, faced a tough follow-up season with a 2-16 league record.
The challenges extended to baseball, where first-year coach Paul Mainieri experienced the worst season in the program's history. Football also faced setbacks, with Coach Shane Beamer's team dropping from a 9-4 record in 2024 to a disappointing 4-8 in 2025.
The combined SEC and Power-4 wins for the "Big Three" sports marked one of the worst years in USC's history. Fans were vocal on social media, often pointing to Tanner, who had hired all these coaches.
Tanner's 12-year tenure as athletic director has seen mixed results. While some of his major hires have struggled, others show promise.
Shane Beamer, for example, has experienced both success and challenges. In baseball, Tanner's selections, including Chad Holbrook, Mark Kingston, and Mainieri, have yet to recapture the program's former glory.
His choice of Will Muschamp for football and Lamont Paris for basketball also faced scrutiny.
However, Tanner's legacy isn't solely defined by struggles. He made impactful hires in other sports, such as Tom Mendoza for volleyball, who led the team to four NCAA Tournaments after a 16-year drought. Tanner also hired Carol Gwin, who won an SEC championship in equestrian, and Ashley Chastain Woodard, who revitalized the softball program.
Despite the challenges in revenue sports, Tanner remains optimistic. "I follow it closely, and I live vicariously through what’s going on," he said.
"I love being here. You want everybody to do well and to win."
Tanner's perspective reminds us that sports are a carousel of highs and lows, and the potential for a turnaround is always just around the corner.