Another South Carolina basketball coaching target is off the board, reports say
LSU is set to hire Murray State coach Matt McMahon as its next head men’s basketball coach, according to multiple reports Monday afternoon.
Linked to South Carolina as one of USC’s top candidates to replace Frank Martin, McMahon chose the Tigers over the Gamecocks, according to a report from college basketball insider Jeff Goodman. The Post and Courier’s David Cloninger reported that USC officials were visiting Murray, Kentucky on Monday. But national reporter Matt Norlander said he was told McMahon passed on the job “days ago.”
McMahon, 43, is an ascending coach who has taken the Racers to three NCAA tournaments since taking over as head coach in 2015. This season, McMahon led the Racers to a 31-3 record with their NCAA tournament run ending in the Round of 32 to Cinderella team Saint Peter’s.
With Xavier and Missouri set to hire Sean Miller and Dennis Gates, respectively, and Furman head coach Bob Richey reportedly pulling out of the race, the Gamecocks are believed to be choosing between Chattanooga’s Lamont Paris and Wake Forest assistant — and Gamecock great — BJ McKie.
McMahon replaces Will Wade at LSU, who was fired after the Tigers were hit with a notice of allegations for misconduct in the program. The program is likely to face sanctions, including a potential postseason ban.
USC fired the 10-year coach Martin on March 14, a day after the Gamecocks (18-13, 9-9 SEC) learned they did not receive a bid to either the NCAA tournament or the NIT. Hired in 2012, Martin, 55, compiled a 171-147 (79-99 SEC) career record with the Gamecocks. The win total is the third most in program history, and his tenure was highlighted by the program’s only Final Four in 2017.
But the Gamecocks failed to make the NCAA tournament after that 2017 run, and athletic director Ray Tanner cited the lack of postseason appearances in the school’s official release on the matter.
Lamont Paris, Chattanooga
A five-year head coach, the 47-year-old Paris led the Mocs to a 27-8 record this season and made the NCAA tournament, and Paris holds a career 85-71 record with the program. This year’s March Madness bid was Paris’ first as a head coach. Prior to arriving in Chattanooga, he served as an assistant coach at Wisconsin from 2011-17.
BJ McKie, Wake Forest assistant
The former Gamecock great and current Wake Forest assistant would be a popular hire with the fan base. McKie has been an assistant at three different spots: Charleston Southern (2011-17), East Tennessess State (2017-2020) and Wake Forest (2020-present). McKie was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 1995 out of Irmo High School and went on to be USC’s all-time leading scorer (2,119 points).
This story was originally published March 21, 2022 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Another South Carolina basketball coaching target is off the board, reports say."
