South Carolina men's basketball coach Lamont Paris announced Wednesday the hiring of Will Bailey as an assistant coach to round out his staff. The veteran coach returns to Columbia after spending the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach at Loyola University Chicago.

“I've really gotten to know Will over the years and in that time I've found him to be a man of great character,” Paris said. “His work ethic and ability to build incredibly meaningful relationships with players and coaches has really helped him recruit talented players. Will is used to winning or working hard and I look forward to bringing his positive energy and winning mentality to our family!”

Bailey helped the Ramblers to a 23-10 record and a 15-3 record in the program's second season in the Atlantic 10. The team earned a postseason bid to the NIT. Bailey spent the 2022-23 season in his second tenure as an assistant in St. Louis under Travis Ford. The Billikens went 21-12 with a 12-6 record in the A-10.

Before returning to St. Louis, he served as an assistant with the Gamecocks during former head coach Frank Martin's final two seasons, 2020-21 and 2021-22.

“I'm thrilled to be returning to Columbia and joining Paris' coaching staff,” Bailey said. “He's done such a good job the last two seasons and I can't wait to be a part of the upward trajectory of the program. I'm grateful to him for this opportunity. The SEC has become one of the best leagues in the country and I'm excited to help South Carolina compete for championships and postseason play. The program has a lot of positive momentum right now and I'm ready to hit the ground running with the guys soon.”

In Bailey's first stint with the Billikens, he spent the first four seasons of Ford's tenure there, beginning in the 2016-17 season. He was part of a team that helped the Billikens improve their winning percentage each season, highlighted by a 23-13 record in the 2018-19 season, an Atlantic 10 Conference Championship title and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

He is known for his work with guards and was instrumental in the development of All-Atlantic 10 guard Javon Bess, the 2019 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Bailey also helped Bess improve his offensive game, and as a senior, Bess led the team with an average of 15.3 points per game and 66 made 3s.

The Chicago native was an assistant at La Salle for six seasons before his time in St. Louis. Bailey helped the Explorers reach the 2012 NIT and the 2013 NCAA Tournament, where the team advanced to the Sweet 16 with wins over Boise State (First Four), Kansas State and Ole Miss. La Salle was one of the best 3-point teams in the country during the 2011-12 season, ranking fourth nationally in scoring at 40.6% from beyond the three-point line. Bailey played a key role in the Explorers' development of all-conference guards Earl Pettis, Ramon Galloway and Tyreek Duren.

Prior to La Salle, he spent seven seasons as an assistant at East Tennessee State under his former college coach Murray Bartow, helping the Bucs to six conference titles, three NCAA Tournament berths, an NIT appearance and four 20-win seasons. Bailey coached two of the top three scorers in ETSU history, Tim Smith and Courtney Pigram, as well as three conference players of the year during his time with the Bucs.

He spent one season each as an assistant at Maine (2002-03) and Chicago State (2001-02). After completing his eligibility, he worked as a student assistant and later as a graduate assistant at UAB, helping the Blazers to an appearance in the 1999 NCAA Tournament.

Prior to coaching, Bailey played two seasons at UAB (1995-97) and was captain of the 1996-97 team that reached the NIT. Prior to Birmingham, Bailey spent two seasons at Parkland College, helping his team to a top-seeded team and the NJCAA National Tournament in 1994 and 1995. Bailey averaged 18.0 points per game, led the nation in assists and was selected to the all-conference first team in college. He was inducted into the Parkland College Hall of Fame in 2019.

BY USC MEDIA RELATIONS