South Carolina fans reacting to Lamont Paris hire are split into two distinct camps

Lamont Paris to South Carolina is the biggest no brainer I’ve seen since becoming a Gamecocks fan

— Dillan Desai (@dillan_desai) March 21, 2022

If he comes to Carolina, they hired the epitome of a grinder and well grounded leader who has shown to of grown at every level he has taken a step at.

You have to remember, he’s been there. Two national title appearances. He can coach.

— Nick Lorensen (@nlorensensports) March 21, 2022

Lamont Paris is a really good coach and is a good hire if it happens. But the way this search has been handled, it makes it look like a bad hire, which isn’t fair to Paris. Guy has a great resume and has shown he knows how to build a winner.

— Chip Collins (@CColl3) March 21, 2022

Some South Carolina fans need to get a grip. We’re one of the worst basketball programs in the power 6. Lamont Paris was one of Bo Ryan’s top assistants at Wisconsin (a real basketball program). Complaining about his record at Chattanooga is foolish. They went from 10 wins to 27

— Ryan (@ryan_rcr) March 22, 2022

Wait… didn’t Lamont Paris make the tourney this year and almost beat a 4 seed? At Chattanooga!? While we were sitting on the couch… again? Quit listening to the message board heroes that are telling you that he’s a bad hire.

— Zach Buchanan (@ZBuck14) March 22, 2022

Say what you want about the hiring process, but @GamecockMBB landed a high-quality, successful coach in Lamont Paris. Was Ast HC to a great Wisconsin team, then built his own program at Chatanooga. Looking forward to his vision of the program!

— Jose Mata (@JoseMata_Jr) March 22, 2022

Lamont Paris will be the first African American men’s basketball coach at South Carolina!

— Gamecocks Today (@gamecocktoday) March 21, 2022

I am a big fan of Lamont Paris fan as of today. Hope I'm a few years we can talk about what a great hire he was and how he has brought us back to the McGuire years.

— Lee Brown (@LeeBrown710) March 22, 2022

Lamont Paris isnt the flashy choice but why are SC fans so mad about it? Chattanooga improved under him every year there and they really should have won their opening tourney game vs Illinois. Why the outrage?#Gamecocks

— Austin Silvey (@FilmRoomScout) March 21, 2022

Lamont Paris is 0-0 as the Head Coach of the men's Basketball program at the University of South Carolina.

As of this moment it isn't a great hire and it isn't a bad hire.

My job as a fan is to now support him and cheer for him to never lose a single game ... and I'll do that

— Talk Cocky With Me (@TalkCockyWithMe) March 21, 2022

I'll support Lamont Paris if he's the guy. I'm curious how former Gamecocks and local coaches will respond considering the AD basically spurned one of their own. It might be a good idea to see if BJ would be interested in a job on the new staff.

— R. Jackson (@RmJack13) March 21, 2022

It's a solid hire. Everybody just looking at a name. Mckie isn't ready yet but this guy seems legit. He's go a progressive record, especially the last 3 years. He might be just what they need to get over the hump.

— Robert Hynes JR. (@HeNeverScored) March 21, 2022

South Carolina really fired Frank Martin for…*checks notes*… Lamont Paris?

— Jonathan Nunez (@JnthnNnz) March 22, 2022

If anyone on here can tell me how Lamont Paris is an upgrade from Frank Martin in any way I will gladly change my opinion on all of this.

— SC Sports Fanatic(BRAVES 2021 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS) (@fanatic_sc) March 21, 2022

We BETTER NOT announce Lamont Paris as our new head coach. At this point of a failure of a process, BJ Mckie is the only candidate we should consider. Unfortunately it sounds like we will hire him. I expect nothing less from Ray Tanner.. what a JOKE

— Justin Ross (@gamecock_23) March 21, 2022

For what it’s worth, hiring Lamont Paris over BJ McKie might be the move that breaks me.

— Gamecock Noah (@GamecockNoah) March 21, 2022

@RayTannerSC kindly piss off and go ruin somebody else’s program Lamont Parris really? You fire Frank for that? I wasn’t in favor of BJ either but damn I’d much rather have him over Lamont Paris… somebody tell me what he has done to deserve an SEC job??? #ImWaiting @GamecockMBB

— tyler phillips (@usc4ever15) March 22, 2022

I want to be clear. I hope Lamont Paris does well but he should never been considered for this job.I am pissed Ray Tanner is still calling the shots. He is terrible at his job and his hand picked successor Chance Miller is just as bad. They both need to go and a real AD hired

— Lee Hogan (@LeeHogan2001) March 21, 2022

As a big Frank Martin fan, logically I could see the argument for Sean Miller, I disagreed but understood. The Lamont Paris hiring is so baffling it’s laughable. I am officially pulling my annual donation @GamecockMBB dark days ahead for gamecock sports

— Parlay Goddess (@ParlayGoddess69) March 22, 2022

Uninspired and not impressive. Can’t say I expected much more from Ray Tanner though. Which is reason 1A why we should’ve never let Frank go.

— Junnnnjjn (@Novakaine2020) March 22, 2022

Well he doesn’t fit the profile of what Tanner said he would hire but we shall see how it works out. Doesn’t feel like an upgrade though

— James Peavy (@JamesPeavy20) March 22, 2022

No offense to him or frank but I don’t see this as an upgrade and we lost a major recruit. I’m not sure ray did his best. Should have had his “guy” lined up before he let frank go. I’m hopeful that this will work.

— Richie Christopher (@richchi104) March 22, 2022

Ray said this and went and hired a guy under .500 in the southern conference
‍♂️
So it's hard to trust this or any hire by Ray anymore. Coach Lamont paris,please forgive us gamecock faithful. It's not really u that we're scared of..its the guy hiring u. https://t.co/dNADpiV2PV

— Gamecock BBQ (@SF_BRUINNATION) March 21, 2022