The South Carolina men’s basketball team’s new head Lamont Paris had his media debut at the Colonial Life Arena.
The former Chattanooga head coach was introduced by USC athletic director Ray Tanner.
“Lamont Paris understands winning, what it takes to win and he’s always been around winners,” said Tanner.
Paris opened up about his objectives as he steps into this new role.
“One is to engage the community and I’m going to do that by diving in and you’ll know that more so than me saying it or telling it, you’ll feel that, you’ll see it,” said Paris.
When asked about his coaching style, Paris emphasized defense.
“We’re going to play solid defense, sorry, I think that’s what you have to do,” said Paris. “I think if you look in the NCAA tournament there aren’t a lot of teams that just hey let’s just let them go ahead and do their thing and we’ll come down and do our thing. So we are going to do that, but not at the expense of offense.”
As the first Black head coach of the men’s basketball team at South Carolina, Paris said he is honored to take on that responsibility.
“I’m honored to be the first African-American men’s basketball coach here,” said Paris. “I take that responsibility seriously.”
Tanner and Paris said they plan to be in Greensboro Friday to cheer on Dawn Staley and the Gamecock women in the Sweet Sixteen.
