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Columbia (WACH)- Ray Tanner is the new Athletics Director at the University of South Carolina.  A press conference was held Friday afternoon in The Zone at Williams-Brice Stadium where Tanner was introduced.

"I'm very excited to begin my new role as we continue on our current path here at Carolina with forward momentum," Tanner said.  "It is imperative that we stay on track as we compete in the SEC and nationally."

The move comes after Eric Hyman vacated the position leaving for the AD job at Texas A&M.  It was a thorough search, but University president Harris Pastides and the USC Board of Trustees believe they found their man.

"Sometimes you can search the world over for the perfect candidate, and sometimes you know you have the right leader in your own bullpen," Pastides said.

Tanner leaves his post of 16 seasons as head coach of the Gamecocks baseball team where he won two national championships, three SEC championships and made 13 NCAA tournament appearances.

"I will miss putting the uniform on, but you can rest assured I will be coaching where I'll be sitting, maybe a little arm chair style."