South Carolina AD Ray Tanner comments on decision to move on from Frank Martin

The South Carolina Gamecocks made a big announcement on Monday, deciding to part ways with head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin. The decision comes just days after the Gamecocks fell in their first game of the SEC Tournament.

Following the decision to part ways with Martin, South Carolina Director of Athletics Ray Tanner released public comments on what went into the choice.

“After a thorough evaluation of our men’s basketball program, we have decided to make a change,” said Tanner. “We are grateful for the dedication that Coach Martin has made to Gamecock Basketball. We wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future.”

Martin first came to South Carolina in the 2012-2013 season. He amassed a 171-147 record as the head coach of the Gamecocks, and he led South Carolina to the Final Four during the 2017 NCAA Tournament. South Carolina also made the NIT the previous year under Martin, but the Gamecocks did not make the postseason in any other year.

“Our expectation is to compete for Southeastern Conference and national championships,” said Tanner.  “We have great facilities, a passionate fan base and we provide our student-athletes an outstanding experience at the University of South Carolina. We will hire someone with a winning coaching history, who has the energy, passion, and commitment to excellence in all areas of the student-athlete experience.”

Martin recently opened up on his, South Carolina’s struggles with COVID

Last season, the COVID-19 pandemic was very impactful on the South Carolina basketball program. The Gamecocks missed a lot of games and practices due to COVID, and Martin was not exempt. Martin tested positive twice last season.

Right as South Carolina got into SEC play last year, Martin had to deal with COVID, which was very tough on him and the team.

“It was hard,” Martin said about his health battles through COVID. “The first time I had it, I didn’t feel anything. But it attacked my immune system, so I lost my hair. So my energy was good, everything else was good. I just look in the mirror and I get depressed. No pun intended, I just wasn’t used to looking in the mirror and not seeing hair.

“Then the second time I got it, it beat me up pretty bad. And then the same day, my associate head coach got it – Chuck Martin. And it beat him up pretty bad. It was right when conference play started in January. It was hard. Chuck and I both tried to do our jobs last year, we were both beat up pretty good.”

Battling through COVID was hard enough for Martin, but he said that his team was hit especially hard. Trying to balance it all was no short task.

“And, when you also take into consideration that I was trying to manage a team that was impacted by COVID more than any other Power 5 team in the country,” added Martin. “We missed more practice time and more games than anybody. Trying to manage a group of kids through that moment was not easy when the world judges us by winning and losing. So it was a complicated year.”

Despite an improvement this season, Martin is out as South Carolina’s head coach.