South Carolina extends Ray Tanner’s contract as AD through 2026

South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner has received a two-year contract extension, the university announced on Friday.

The board of trustees approved a deal for Tanner, whose current deal was set to expire on June 30, 2024, to remain as athletic director through June 30, 2026. He will be paid an annual salary of $1.175 million under the terms of the new contract.

Tanner turns 65 years old next week.

“Ray Tanner continues to set a high standard and has made Gamecock athletics an essential part of our community and our state,” USC President Michael Amiridis said in a news release. “Ray’s record of building up our student athletes while improving the fan experience is second to none. I’m grateful to the Board for approving this extension and look forward to continued success under his leadership.”

Tanner, who previously won two national titles as South Carolina’s baseball coach, has been the athletic director since July 2012. Gamecocks teams have won three national championships (2014 equestrian; 2017, 2022 women’s basketball) and 17 SEC regular season and tournament championships.

The university also announced last month it intends to undergo a major redevelopment project that will include modernizing Williams-Brice Stadium and nearly 800 acres of undeveloped property adjacent to the Congaree River.

“I’m excited to hear that Coach Tanner will continue as our Athletics Director. Our relationship and my respect for Coach Tanner has grown so much since I returned to Columbia in 2020,” head football coach Shane Beamer said in the release. “I’m excited about the progress we’ve made as a football program. I’m even more excited to continue to elevate our program under Coach Tanner’s leadership.”