Lamont Paris talks busy start, staff, recruiting, more

Lamont Paris really hasn’t had time to breathe after taking the South Carolina job.

The Gamecocks’ new head coach is right around 10 days into his tenure and in the midst of building a roster and his new staff.

Paris went on with Scott Hamilton on ESPN Charleston Monday morning to update the latest around the program.

On what the last few weeks have been like at South Carolina

“It’s just constantly recruiting, whether you’re on the road doing that. It’s a constant organization of who needs to be called. There are so many people around every young man of this age. It’s managing that. Then what’s happening with your current roster and keeping a pulse on that. Then calling the high school coach for this guy, his AAU coach for that guy, this person’s grandmother, this person’s mom or dad. Where are you at with this? Where are you at with that one? What are your needs positionally? That’s a whole thing.

“I’m starting to play out next weekend. We can go out on the road. We can do official visits. We’ll do a little bit of both. I’ll go out at the very beginning of the period and rush back here for an official visit. It’s that and staffing. I’m trying to get staffing together. I’m making good progress on that and should finish that hopefully pretty soon.”

On the biggest difference between a mid and high major program:

“I’d say there’s a lot more from media demands and whatnot at this level than there were at the mid-major level, particularly early on. Everyone’s trying to get my name out there and familiarize people with me. I’m glad they’re doing that. I’m hoping people get a chance to spend some time with me. A lot of it’s that. There’s a lot of that going on. Then meet with boosters and other people who are influential in the community. One of these days I’ll look for a place to live or sell my house. Maybe in the next six weeks, I’ll sell my house. It’s a crazy time.

“A lot of external stuff I’d say. The meat and potatoes of the recruiting and player needs are going to be pretty much the same. Just figuring out the difference in what kind of guy we want at this level versus that level. What translates to some of the kids you’re going to be recruiting? A lot that goes into it.”

On bringing a blueprint with him to South Carolina from UT-Chattanooga with the transfer portal:

“Part of that was doing this at Chattanooga. We had a lot of turnover there. At that point, the transfer portal hadn’t been invented yet. It was a bit of a slower process trying to get the team turned around and get it looking how you want it to look like. That’s the beauty of the transfer portal. You can use it as a supplemental tool. You can get the team to look and play like you want it to play quicker than you ever would without it. Guys are eligible immediately. Then it’s about can I get a better version, a more talented version of this guy at this position, or that guy at this position as you continue to progress. I think if you can get it to play the style you want to play you can get it more to your liking a little earlier.”

On transfers out of South Carolina’s program:

“I had a preliminary meeting with them and then I’ll sit down with them individually. As you do that, some already had their mind made up that I’m leaving. It’s hard to convince a person and it’s not a rash decision. Often times they’ve spoken to their parents or whoever’s advising them. It’s difficult. I’m not a believer in talking someone into coming back necessarily. It’s a rare circumstance. Ultimately we’ll sit down and talk and we have done this. They have to want to play for me and what I value and how we’re going to play.

“If they don’t, then it’s not going to work out. I don’t care how talented the person is. It’s just not going to work. I’m here to help them figure out what’s best for them. At the end of the day, that’s what’s most important. You do that. You let them know who you are, what you’re about, how we’re going to play, what this looks like, and how is your coaching style and philosophy. Some are more interested in hearing that and listening to it. Some, like I said, you’re getting blank faces when you sit down with them and there’s not a whole lot it’s going to do.”

On if it’s hard to not take transfers out personally:

“It’s hard but it’s 2022. It’s a different time. You have to take pride out of it. You have to take your own personal feelings out of it as best you can. It is what it is. There’s going to be a lot of turnover anytime you get a job. Some of these guys, it’s the new trend. Everyone’s going to dive in there no matter what, honestly. You have 11 guys leaving one program here, and nine guys leaving a program there. You have to adapt and be flexible and recognize that’s what happens nowadays. I don’t think you have sour grapes.

“I always say that in middle school when your middle school girlfriend broke up with you, you probably thought it was the end of the world. Then a couple of weeks later you realize it wasn’t. I don’t think you can take it personally. You have to be focused on trying to improve your roster and getting it how you like it.”

On opportunity and building a staff at South Carolina:

“It’s a difficult thing. At the end of the day, it’s a great opportunity and it’s an important opportunity. They don’t just come every day. You have to get it right. You have to be committed to doing what’s best for this program and this situation and for you as the leader of this program. You have to be able to take personal feelings out of it. That’s very difficult. It’s a very difficult thing. Guys have families; guys have been around for a long time.

“It’s a little easier to say no to the 1,000 other suitors that are interested in this job that aren’t involved in the situation. It’s more difficult that’s already working here, wants to continue to do that. It can be a difficult situation. It’s part of the business and you understand that. You have to try and manage it that way. Being committed to what’s best for this university and program and you as the leader of that is what will guide you.”

Messages to staff at UT-Chattanooga:

“Those guys, I’ll try and take care of them at least so they’re not standing there holding an empty bag. That would be difficult for me to do, honestly. Not saying it isn’t done by some people and I’m not judging those people. That would be difficult for me to do. I’ll try to give an opportunity to as many people who were working with me as I can that helped this happen.

“Their role may change, and that may be here or maybe back there. As long as there’s some sort of landing spot for everyone that helped me develop that program at Chattanooga I’ll feel comfortable and good with that.”

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