South Carolina baseball expected to hire Paul Mainieri, retired from LSU, as coach | Report
COLUMBIA — South Carolina baseball is expected to hire retired former LSU coach Paul Mainieri as its new coach, according to a report Monday from D1Baseball.
Mainieri, who will turn 67 in August, went 641-283-3 from 2007 to 2021 at LSU, winning the 2009 College World Series and making it to Omaha four other times, including a runner-up finish in 2017.
He announced his retirement near the end of the 2021 season. He also coached at St. Thomas University (Florida), Air Force and Notre Dame and has a career record of 1,505-775-8.
On June 3, South Carolina fired Mark Kingston after seven seasons as coach of the Gamecocks. Kingston finished at South Carolina with a 217-155 overall coaching record, 83-96 in the SEC. He led the Gamecocks to four NCAA tournament regionals and two super regionals.
KINGSTON OUT: Mark Kingston fired by South Carolina baseball after seven seasons
South Carolina baseball assistant coaches
After Kingston was fired, associate head coach/recruiting coordinator Monte Lee was named interim head coach. Some current and incoming players expressed their belief that Lee should be the next head coach.
REQUIRED READING: South Carolina baseball players, recruits say Monte Lee should be next coach
There has been no official announcement in regard to which assistant coaches are staying with this new hire, but for the 2024 season, Kingston was assisted by Lee, Matt Williams and Joey Holcomb.
South Carolina baseball's 2024 season
South Carolina was shut out by James Madison in a must-win game in the NCAA regional, ending its season with a 37-25 record. The Gamecocks' season highlights included the NCAA Raleigh regional appearance and a 3-2 run in the SEC tournament.
South Carolina swept Vanderbilt in March, took down North Carolina in April and beat then-No. 5 ranked Kentucky in a three-game series 2-1.
The Gamecocks closed the regular season with a six-game losing streak, getting swept back-to-back by Georgia and Tennessee.
TRANSFER TRACKER: South Carolina baseball transfer tracker: Who's in and who's out after Mark Kingston fired
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina baseball reportedly to hire Paul Mainieri as new coach
