So, just to clarify for the smug Kingston apologists

[Rogue Cock]

win percentages (overall/SEC):

2023: .667/.552
2024: .610/.433

Even if we make the Supers, how can one argue that's progress?

I know the percentages which is why I wanted him fired 2 years ago. IMO making it to the SRs is a good accomplishment and doing so consistently gives you a good shot at Omaha. It’s just a different way of measuring a successful season.

 

[will110]

I wanted him fired 2 years ago but circumstances prevented it. Last year he made the SR which got him another year with a reduced buyout after May 31. If he makes another SR this year, that will show some progress, not ideal mind you, but still progress and he will probably get another year if he wants it. If he doesn’t make the SRs, fire him…that I’m fine with.

Honestly I'd be shocked if he's fired at all now that he's made the postseason again.

But in my opinion, the consistently mediocre (at best) regular season results should result in Kingston being replaced unless he makes a run to Omaha.

 

[Rogue Cock]

Honestly I'd be shocked if he's fired at all now that he's made the postseason again.

But in my opinion, the consistently mediocre (at best) regular season results should result in Kingston being replaced unless he makes a run to Omaha.

That’s fine. We all have our own measuring stick. Mine may change if we don’t begin to have winning conference seasons and keep making the SRs consistently.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I know the percentages which is why I wanted him fired 2 years ago. IMO making it to the SRs is a good accomplishment and doing so consistently gives you a good shot at Omaha. It’s just a different way of measuring a successful season.

You haven't explained, though, how making the Supers negates the fact that we are currently just a very mediocre program and less-than-mediocre in conference play. Getting hot and winning a few games shouldn't redefine the overall body of work.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

You haven't explained, though, how making the Supers negates the fact that we are currently just a very mediocre program and less-than-mediocre in conference play. Getting hot and winning a few games shouldn't redefine the overall body of work.

Got to make the supers first.

 

[Rogue Cock]

You haven't explained, though, how making the Supers negates the fact that we are currently just a very mediocre program and less-than-mediocre in conference play. Getting hot and winning a few games shouldn't redefine the overall body of work.

I just said that it is an accomplishment and doing it back-to-back shows some progress. It is simply a DIFFERENT way to define success. Didn’t say it had to be yours.

 

[Freddie.B.Cocky]

Kingston and Tanner should have fired been fired yesterday. Technically, 3 or 4 years ago for Tanner.

Kingston will never carry us back to our glory days.

 

[will110]

That’s fine. We all have our own measuring stick. Mine may change if we don’t begin to have winning conference seasons and keep making the SRs consistently.

Definitely understand where you're coming from. If the program consistently gets to the Supers, then regular season isn't as big of a deal. But consistently making the Supers without being better than mediocre in the regular season doesn't feel sustainable.

Anyway, a lot hinges on the next two weekends for Carolina baseball's future.

 

[Rogue Cock]

Kingston will never carry us back to our glory days.

May not. Right now the hottest name on this board is UTs coach and UKs coach. A few years ago it was McDonnell and Ole Miss’ coach. Before that it was Lemonis, Sully and Corbin. Each of the prior ones have dropped off recently.

 

[BftCocks09]

He brought up those schools, I didn’t.

I brought up those schools. And the response didn’t address the actual argument at hand but just deflected to something different. The point is we are a baseball program that was, at the time Ray Tanner retired, considered to be in the top echelon of baseball programs in the country. Any program in that position doesn’t settle for consistent sweet sixteens with no trips to Omaha.

 

[Rogue Cock]

Definitely understand where you're coming from. If the program consistently gets to the Supers, then regular season isn't as big of a deal. But consistently making the Supers without being better than mediocre in the regular season doesn't feel sustainable.

Anyway, a lot hinges on the next two weekends for Carolina baseball's future.

Agree.

 

[Rogue Cock]

I brought up those schools. And the response didn’t address the actual argument at hand but just deflected to something different. The point is we are a baseball program that was, at the time Ray Tanner retired, considered to be in the top echelon of baseball programs in the country. Any program in that position doesn’t settle for consistent sweet sixteens with no trips to Omaha.

No deflection. As good as our history is in baseball, it doesn’t come close to matching those programs in basketball. If we were Texas, I’d agree with you.

 

[Sweetwatergolf]

I just said that it is an accomplishment and doing it back-to-back shows some progress. It is simply a DIFFERENT way to define success. Didn’t say it had to be yours.

Back to back SR would define progress. That would be addressed in defining his acceptance of continued employment I'm sure. I also think start having winning records in conference play would be addressed for continuous employment. I feel our AD has a checklist for his discussion once our season is done. Also, the buyout will play into the decision also IMO.

 

[Rogue Cock]

Back to back SR would define progress. That would be addressed in defining his acceptance of continued employment I'm sure. I also think start having winning records in conference play would be addressed for continuous employment. I feel our AD has a checklist for his discussion once our season is done. Also, the buyout will play into the decision also IMO.

Agree. As of May 31, buyout drops to $400K, so that shouldn’t be much of a factor.

 

[1982cock]

I wanted him fired 2 years ago but circumstances prevented it. Last year he made the SR which got him another year with a reduced buyout after May 31. If he makes another SR this year, that will show some progress, not ideal mind you, but still progress and he will probably get another year if he wants it. If he doesn’t make the SRs, fire him…that I’m fine with.

Losing in another SR just doesn’t cut it for me. We’ve been down this path with King. Prove to me you can do something special by actually winning one. Otherwise, be gone!

 

[ScWildthing61]

Look up Texas. See what you find.

As of right now Texas baseball is still In the Big XII, of course I'd have Texas ahead of possibly even LSU when it comes to what their baseball program has achieved, the Longhorns have more CWS appearances than any other program(38 I believe) although LSU has more national titles. My top 3 baseball programs of all time are in no particular order: Southern Cal, Texas, and LSU. When OU and Texas do join, I'd still slide South Carolina in right behind LSU and Texas all time with Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, right after us and Florida next.

 

[Patriot321]

When the Gamecocks were winning and going to Omaha, our facilities were better than most teams. They're still nice, but a lot of other schools have upgraded. Also, the transfer portal has changed the game tremendously. Schools that have recently won CWS are struggling as well - Florida, Vanderbilt, Mississippi, and Mississippi State. It always comes down to the talent you're able to attract. I think Kingston has done okay with the talent he has - needs to hit the recruiting hard if he stays. I don't support a change this year because I'm not aware of a proven D1 winner that is available and would do better. All SEC schools are just a couple of stud pitchers away from being great. Not an apologist, but you have to entice a competent replacement if you make a change.

I agree with "Kingston has done ok" but stop it there, "OK" is the definition of mediocre and who's responsible for recruiting? Kingston, and I disagree that he has done good with the talent he has.

 

[Patriot321]

Fire a coach that makes back-to-back SRs......and watch your potential pool of replacements dwindle fast.

I disagree, it shows you demand more, why play games, we do want more. We have fast become a freakin' WBB school , that's all we are known for now, and Tanner seems fine with that.

 

[Patriot321]

There are just so few things we're actually good at, it really shocks how me how some of fans are 100% ok with us just being mediocre in a sport we once dominated.

If/when Dawn leaves, our WBB program will go back to being mediocre, it's the Tanner way.

 

[Patriot321]

Got to make the supers first.

I think that will be difficult, not impossible, but has to be considerable improvements with the defense, and some with pitching.

 

[Rogue Cock]

If/when Dawn leaves, our WBB program will go back to being mediocre, it's the Tanner way.

Unless Dawn retires prior to July, 2026, Tanner won’t be AD when Dawn retires. And no one knows what Tanner is thinking with respect to the baseball program…just rank speculation at this point. Two years ago, Tanner was ready to fire him.