It’s official….Darrin Horn has been fired at South Carolina. Here are some notes from AD Eric Hyman’s press conference….
*Academic success a positive under Horn. Made great strides academically and runs a program with Character. Horn has high ethics and ran a program with integrity.
* AD wants to be basketball program to be nationally prominent and compete for championships. Athletic department has made commitment to this.
*MBB was not competitive this season – not successful. Didn’t have positive energy and “hope” this season. Program needs to move in a different direction.
* Hyman met with Horn today. Told Horn that he needed to turn the corner, and he never did. Never showed progress.
* Fans deserve a good product (Football, WBB, Baseball all competing at championship levels).
*$2.4 million dollar buy-out is a substantial number, but must deal with it. There is a reserve account to help with this (reserve account is 5% of operating budget).
* Hyman met with players today. Asked them to develop a profile – what do they want moving forward. They won’t pick the coach, but their feelings / thoughts are important to Hyman.
*Hyman wants a recruiter with connections in the area. Also wants someone to develop players.
* Wants confidentiality in the search. Doesn’t know how long it will take. Knows it needs to happen quickly, but wants to be sure to make the right choice. Hyman won’t talk to press about candidates. Wants a large pool of candidates.
* New HC’s pay will be driven by the marketplace. There is some flexibility in the salary (ie. there is $ available)
*Assistant coaches contracts will be honored. Hyman will sit with them and help them with whatever they need. It’s the unfortunate side of the business when people get let go – he wants to be there to help as much as he can.
