South Carolina's Lamont Paris could garner interest in Ohio State coach search | report
South Carolina basketball coach Lamont Paris is drawing interest around the country for leading the Gamecocks to a surprising 21-3 record this season and a No. 11 ranking in the Coaches Poll and AP Top 25.
And with Ohio State firing Chris Holtmann on Wednesday, Paris could be a potential candidate to fill the Buckeyes' coaching vacancy. The Field of 68's Jeff Goodman, who was first to report Holtmann's firing, noted Paris and Xavier's Sean Miller are likely to be candidates for the Ohio State opening.
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Paris, who's in his second season with South Carolina, has ties to the Buckeye State: He was born in Findlay, Ohio and played at in-state Division II basketball program Wooster College. Paris also has experience coaching in the Big Ten, serving as an assistant at Wisconsin from 2010-17.
Ohio State in a release said the team will begin its coaching search to replace Holtmann at the end of the season, with incoming athletic director Ross Bjork leading the charge. He will not take over the position until July 1, but will take over in an interim role on March 1.
The No. 11 Gamecocks (21-3, 9-2 SEC) take on No. 13 Auburn (19-5, 8-3) at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday on the road.
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Lamont Paris buyout
Paris' buyout is set at $4 million this season and will reduce to $3 million on April 1, according to his contract obtained by the USA TODAY Network. That payout will be further reduced to $1 million from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.
It is $500,000 from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027.
Lamont Paris contract details
Paris is making $2.3 million this season, according to his contract. Paris has a $500,000 base salary, plus $1.8 million in additional compensation. He is set to gain an annual $100,000 pay increase until his contract expires in 2027.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina's Lamont Paris could be Ohio State coach candidate | report
