University of South Carolina's Head Coaches on Ray Tanner
as Athletics Director:
Frank Martin, Men's Basketball
"As concerned as I was the day Eric Hyman decided to
leave, I am even more excited for President Pastides' decision to hire Ray
Tanner as our next director of athletics. He has proven that he can lead people
and win championships as well as anyone. I look forward to having him as our new
leader."
Dawn Staley, Women's Basketball
"With Ray Tanner's unprecedented success on the field,
his name quickly surfaced as a top candidate, and that did not change
throughout our quick but thorough search process. It is with enthusiasm that I
join President Pastides, and the entire advisory committee, in welcoming Ray
Tanner, a familiar and well-respected member of our Gamecock family as our new
athletics director."
Stan Rosenthal, Women's Cross Country
"I am very excited to have Coach Tanner as our new
athletics director. He is a wonderful person and will do an awesome job for
everyone in Gamecock Nation."
Boo Major, Equestrian
"How exciting it is to have one of our own become
athletics director at South Carolina. Ray Tanner is a great choice for our
university at this time. He has the demeanor and personality to lead us to the
next level, just as he did with the baseball team. I am looking forward to
working with Ray in his new role."
Steve Spurrier, Football
"I applaud the choice of Ray Tanner as athletics
director. I believe the President made an excellent decision. Our athletics
department is in very good hands with Ray Tanner. I look forward to working
with Ray and President Pastides for several years to come."
Bill McDonald, Men's Golf
"Congratulations to Coach Tanner and his family. It's a
great day for Gamecock Athletics! Coach Tanner is a proven leader, and he has
certainly shown he has the ability to get the most out of his people. His
passion for this great University is contagious and unwavering. I am excited to
have Coach Tanner leading the way into the next great era of Gamecock
Athletics."
Kalen Harris, Women's Golf
"I am thrilled that Ray Tanner will be leading our
athletics department. Coach Tanner has strong relationships within the Gamecock
community, and he understands the needs of coaches and student-athletes. His
success as a coach speaks for itself, and I am confident that he will continue
to move Gamecock athletics toward excellence."
Mark Berson, Men's Soccer
"Ray Tanner is a tremendous choice to be our athletics
director. He has all the qualities that you look for in a leader. He is a
proven winner at the highest level, in the most demanding conference in the
country. His ability to produce back-to-back national championships speaks for
itself in terms of his management ability and his ability to lead. Most
importantly, Ray Tanner is a quality person, and he is a Gamecock through and
through. He is the right man for the job.
Shelley Smith, Women's Soccer
"I'm excited to have chance to work for Ray. He's a
tremendous person. He's been very successful as a coach, but I know he has the
ability to lead a department. The way he interacts with others, the way he's
given back to the community shows what a tremendous person he is. I'm proud to
be coaching under his leadership."
Beverly Smith, Softball
"I am thrilled for Coach Tanner. To go from coach to
athletics director is a tribute to his proven leadership ability. This is an
exciting time for Gamecock fans and, certainly, for the athletics staff."
McGee Moody, Swimming & Diving
"Ray has one of the best coaching minds and has the
ability to lead a group to greatness. I truly believe this will translate over
to his leadership of our department. He is well respected within the department
and will have the support of the coaches on staff. I have enjoyed working
side-by-side with Ray, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work for
him in the future."
Josh Goffi, Men's Tennis
"Coach Tanner has proven his ability to lead teams to the
pinnacle of his sport. There is not a doubt in my mind that the same qualities
he used to lead his team will translate into success as our athletics director.
I am truly excited for what is to come for Gamecock Athletics."
Curtis Frye, Track & Field
"It's the right time and the right guy. The University of
South Carolina could not have hired a better person as an administrator to
manage our program and take it to the next level. Ray understands coaches and
the importance of empowering them to do what they do. I look forward to working
with him."
Scott Swanson, Volleyball
"I am extremely excited about this hire. Coach Tanner is
going to be an amazing mentor for a lot of us coaches. For someone who has had
his success to share his ideas with young coaches like myself is a great
opportunity for us. I am excited about the future of Gamecock athletics with
Coach Tanner."
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