South Carolina President Michael Amiridis wants to be clear. Yes, athletics director Ray Tanner is soon transitioning into a new role. But that will only happen after South Carolina finds his replacement — and, according to Amiridis, that search won’t get going until the end of November.

Every athletic director has battled different headwinds. If nothing else, each era running the Gamecocks has been eventful in its own way.

Ray Tanner will be stepping down as South Carolina athletic director and taking on a new role at USC, the school’s board of trustees announced Friday.