Dec. 14, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees approved a recommendation by University President Dr. Harris Pastides and Athletics Director Eric Hyman to extend head men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn’s contract, it was announced on Monday.

Horn’s original five-year contract was extended for two additional years and his base salary was raised $300,000, from $800,000 to $1.1 million per year. Horn is now signed through the 2014-15 season.

“Coach Horn and his staff have brought a tremendous amount of excitement and enthusiasm to Gamecock Basketball,” said Hyman. “We want to recognize the job that Coach Horn is doing with the basketball program. In addition to what he’s accomplished on the court, the academic performance of our student-athletes has improved dramatically under his leadership. His commitment to success both on the court and in the classroom has been exemplary. The future of Gamecock Basketball is extremely bright.”

“I appreciate the show of support for our program from the Board, Dr. Pastides and Eric Hyman,” said Coach Horn. “I’m excited about the remainder of this season and the future of Gamecock Basketball. I look forward to continuing to build upon the foundation we’ve laid for this program.”

Horn posted a 21-10 record in his first season at South Carolina, including a 10-6 mark and a share of the SEC Eastern Division title. It was the Gamecocks’ first division title since 1998. Horn also had an immediate impact on his team’s success off the court, as the Gamecocks enjoyed one of their best academic years in history during the 2008-09 campaign. The squad earned its highest GPA on record (3.007) in the spring of 2009 after posting its second-highest GPA on record (2.749) in the fall. The Gamecocks are off to a 6-2 start this season and this fall signed a recruiting class ranked among the nation’s top 10.