South Carolina Basketball: 7 candidates to replace Frank Martin as head coach

Bob Richey

But wait, there’s more! There’s just one more name we’re going to dive into and it’s another successful head coach from the Southern Conference. In South Carolina’s quest to find their next basketball coach, why not consider the mid-major head coach who’s spent his entire coaching career in the Palmetto State?

Richey has been successful, beginning his coaching career on staff at Charleston Southern soon after his own graduation. After five years there, he spent six years on staff at Furman before being promoted to head coach back in 2017. The last five seasons have been fantastic for the Paladins, as Richey has led them to five straight Top 3 finishes in the SoCon and a pair of postseason bids. His .707 winning percentage is exceptional and he has this Furman program in great shape.

One initial concern is that Richey hasn’t led the Paladins to the NCAA Tournament; though this is much harder to do in the SoCon than at an SEC school where half a dozen teams regularly are invited. Richey is a talented young coach who already has a ton of experience in South Carolina; and he’d bring the energy that Gamecocks may just need to one day become an SEC contender.

We’re finished with our deep dive into these seven candidates for the Gamecocks; who do you think is going to be South Carolina’s next head coach?