South Carolina basketball coach Lamont Paris already has guided his team to the greatest turnaround in program history this season – a program record-tying 26 victories and a tie for second place in the SEC standings.

On Friday he was officially rewarded for that accomplishment as the university’s Board of Trustees approved a new contract for Paris through the 2029-30 season.

“I love where I am and they like me, too,” Paris said.

The new six-year deal will pay him $26.25 million over the life of the contract, or an average of $4.375 million per year.

“Coaching at the University of South Carolina is such a great match for me – the fit, these players, the community, the other coaches,” Paris said in a school news release on Friday. “I am very grateful for this opportunity.”

Paris, 49, who made $2.3 million in 2023-24, will be paid $3.75 million 2024-25, with $250,000 annual increases over the remainder of the contract, culminating with $5 million in 2029-30.

Buyout terms are $12,500,000 the first year, then dropping to $10 million the second year and $7.5 million in year three. The buyout in the fourth year would be $4 million, $3 million in year five and $1 million in the final year of the deal.

PAYING PARIS: Unpacking Lamont Paris' contract extension — and how South Carolina's Dawn Staley reacted to it

“When Lamont was hired two years ago, I said he was the right coach to lead our men’s basketball program,” Athletics Director Ray Tanner said in a news release. “And he has proven that to be true.

“He has the energy, passion, commitment, and he is a developer of talent – a true coach and teacher. I am glad he will remain at Carolina as our head men’s basketball coach.”

The Gamecocks (26-6, 13-5 SEC), who are ranked 16th in the latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll, are set to play No. 12 Auburn (24-7, 13-5) in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament Friday (3:30 p.m., ESPN). South Carolina is seeded fifth in the tournament while Auburn is No. 4.

Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ScottKeepfer

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Lamont Paris contract: South Carolina coach comments on new deal