South Carolina Basketball: Perry Clark Announces Retirement
By Jacob Elsey
Frank Martin and the South Carolina basketball team lost a key staff member when assistant coach Perry Clark announced his retirement Monday.
Longtime college coach Perry Clark announced his retirement Monday after more than 30 years on the sidelines. His coaching career has included time as an assistant at Penn State and Georgia Tech, as well as head coaching stints at Tulane, Miami, and Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
Clark has been on the Gamecock coaching staff since 2012, the year Frank Martin took the reins in Columbia. During his time on staff, South Carolina has posted a couple of the best seasons in program history, including the Final Four run in 2017.
Here’s what coach Clark had to say about his decision.
"“Stepping away now gives me an opportunity to do some things in life I have interest in and have wanted to do. My time at South Carolina has been precious and I’ve built some lifetime friendships and relationships I’ll always cherish. I take so much pride in the programs I’ve been a part of during my career, and helping to build them. Our run to the 2017 Final Four was incredible. I say thanks to all of my players, fellow staff members and everyone who has been a part of my career.”"
Over his career, Clark was twice named the Metro Conference’s Coach of the Year, and in 1992 was named National Coach of the Year after leading Tulane to a 22-9 regular season record. He is a member of the Green Wave Hall of Fame. After 11 seasons in New Orleans, he led the Miami Hurricanes to two postseason appearances in his four years at the helm.
He coached 19 players that went on to play in the NBA, including 13 that were drafted in the first or second rounds. Some of those players include Sindarius Thornwell, John Salley, John Salmons, and James Jones.
As a head coach, he finished his career with a 304-270 record, leading his teams to nine postseason appearances (4 NCAA, 5 NIT).
The Gamecocks now have a void to fill on the staff. Clark is the first staff departure since 2017, when Matt Figger left the program to become head coach at Austin Peay.