Who else has read the article

[Dabo's Weenie]

(or perhaps exposé?) on 2025 USC baseball?

I realize there are 3 sides to every story, but after reading about some of the alleged incidents, I don't see how Donati can justify not having some sort of investigation to get to the bottom of things.

I don't see any path to success if this is how things truly are and are going to be in the future. Who will want to come play here, especially with this out there?

This needs to be either verified or debunked to remove the cloud it has cast over the program; it can't just be ignored.

 

[Jmt1984]

????

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

????

I'm not sure of the protocol on here since the aforementioned isn't on here, but it was done by a well-known journalist who's been covering USC baseball for a long time. Do a search and I'm sure it will come up - it's only been out for a day or two.

 

[Thunderstick]

I'm not sure of the protocol on here since the aforementioned isn't on here, but it was done by a well-known journalist who's been covering USC baseball for a long time. Do a search and I'm sure it will come up - it's only been out for a day or two.

 

[Gcocks29853]

(or perhaps exposé?) on 2025 USC baseball?

I realize there are 3 sides to every story, but after reading about some of the alleged incidents, I don't see how Donati can justify not having some sort of investigation to get to the bottom of things.

I don't see any path to success if this is how things truly are and are going to be in the future. Who will want to come play here, especially with this out there?

This needs to be either verified or debunked to remove the cloud it has cast over the program; it can't just be ignored.

If all of what was said in the story you are referring to is true, then PM has to go.

 

[soxtalklife]

Yep, dude needs to go. Seems like not only age and forgetfulness is an issue but the game and relationship building has passed him by.

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

Probably the most disturbing part is the Eddie Copper situation. That alone could be grounds for dismissal with cause, if true.

I always hear, "the game has passed him by" when a coach gets a few years under his belt and isn't winning as much as the fans want (heard it about Spurrier before he got things in high gear), but this doesn't sound like someone who forgot how to play the game, it sounds like someone who has misplaced values and a borderline split personality, because who I see on camera doesn't resemble the person described in this article - they seem very, very different.

Either the author has a personal axe to grind or there are some serious issues in play over there. But like I said, it sounds like there needs to be some more digging and it needs to come at the request of the school, because leaving allegations like these just floating in public is a sure way to have parents say, "no way" to their son playing for USC. Either clear his name if it's not true or send him packing if it is, but you can't just ignore it and hope it blows over. That will only make things worse.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

Link?

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

Link?

Are links to competing sites permitted on here? I don't want to get on anyone's wrong side. In the meantime, a search for "Behind the scenes of the 2025 South Carolina baseball season" may get you there.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

There's nothing on his X account.

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

There's nothing on his X account.

I don't have any social media accounts so I wouldn't have access to it there; I found it via a search that led me to the website. Give me a minute and I'll see if there's a PM function on here I can use to send you something.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

I don't have any social media accounts so I wouldn't have access to it there; I found it via a search that led me to the website. Give me a minute and I'll see if there's a PM function on here I can use to send you something.

What were your search words?

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

What were your search words?

Exactly what I posted. I sent you a link via PM.

 

[Cybercock]

https://247sports.com/college/south-carolina/longformarticle/behind-the-scenes-south-carolina-gamecocks-baseball-season-2025-250173586/

 

[Atlanta Cock]

There's nothing on his X account.

 

[gamecox4982]

These kids have been playing baseball since they were 7 years old and have had every available tool to make them better. The fact of the matter is compared to other talented programs in the SEC with or without PM they aren’t very good. If they need someone at this level to tell them how to run bases, what cutoff man to throw to, protect the plate with 2 strikes (especially when it’s right down the middle of the plate) and where to throw the ball when the game is on the line. No coach, trackman or practices are going to fix this… Need new talent.

 

[Atlanta Cock]

These kids have been playing baseball since they were 7 years old and have had every available tool to make them better. The fact of the matter is compared to other talented programs in the SEC with or without PM they aren’t very good. If they need someone at this level to tell them how to run bases, what cutoff man to throw to, protect the plate with 2 strikes (especially when it’s right down the middle of the plate) and where to throw the ball when the game is on the line. No coach, trackman or practices are going to fix this… Need new talent.

Does this apply to all D-1 sports?

 

[Bubba Fett]

Does this apply to all D-1 sports?

No, coaching matters greatly. The level of coaching in high school, and before, is very hit and miss. A lot of the high school coaches are just whoever shows up and takes the job. There are no 17 or 18 year olds who show up ready to go, knowing everything they need to know.

And it's still true in the pros.

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

These kids have been playing baseball since they were 7 years old and have had every available tool to make them better. The fact of the matter is compared to other talented programs in the SEC with or without PM they aren’t very good. If they need someone at this level to tell them how to run bases, what cutoff man to throw to, protect the plate with 2 strikes (especially when it’s right down the middle of the plate) and where to throw the ball when the game is on the line. No coach, trackman or practices are going to fix this… Need new talent.

Interesting.

Sounds like justification for elimination of MLB's minor league system.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

2010 and 2011 were the foundation for something really special and RT moved on from coaching but failed miserably as AD in advancing and protecting the potential baseball dynasty he built, if that was indeed important to him. Have to wonder what he is thinking after this season?

 

[bayrooster]

I think the article provides enough receipts to make a solid case for getting rid of Mainieri now, before he can do more damage. I'm shocked he hasn't been fired yet; what a douche we have for a coach.

Damn the torpedos, here's the article link

 

[Bubba Fett]

Haven't read the article. He should have been fired even without whatever it is in the article. He should not have even been hired.

The fact he was hired 7-8 months before the season started, with no plan beforehand, and no plan developed in that time period, therefore wasting a year and moving us backwards is unforgivable.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

therefore wasting a year

That certainly doesn't hurt LSU does it?

 

[Sweetwatergolf]

I think the article provides enough receipts to make a solid case for getting rid of Mainieri now, before he can do more damage. I'm shocked he hasn't been fired yet; what a douche we have for a coach.

Damn the torpedos, here's the article link

Interesting read. That this article is out for public reading is disturbing. This needs to be addressed by the AD in order to make the truth known. As someone else mentioned, this will effect future players coming here.

 

[sclawman77]

Granted we had some tough injuries but I didn't see any rebuilding this season. I saw regression of an already struggling program. Maineiri is getting paid a ridiculous amount for us to be as bad a we were. 6 total SEC wins, a record 29 season losses-and a lot of those were football score losses, and our first losing season in forever.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

Granted we had some tough injuries but I didn't see any rebuilding this season. I saw regression of an already struggling program. Maineiri is getting paid a ridiculous amount for us to be as bad a we were. 6 total SEC wins, a record 29 season losses-and a lot of those were football score losses, and our first losing season in forever.

Meltdown on display

 

[Bushmaster]

(or perhaps exposé?) on 2025 USC baseball?

I realize there are 3 sides to every story, but after reading about some of the alleged incidents, I don't see how Donati can justify not having some sort of investigation to get to the bottom of things.

I don't see any path to success if this is how things truly are and are going to be in the future. Who will want to come play here, especially with this out there?

This needs to be either verified or debunked to remove the cloud it has cast over the program; it can't just be ignored.

Never read anything quite like that about an active coach. Almost like the writer has a bone to pick.
“Even though he had not faced live hitters but once in practice (less than doctor's suggestion)”. This comment struck me as odd. Why would a doctor give suggestions on when to face live hitters? Is he saying BP live hitters or game?
Like you said originally, the truth is most likely in between

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

This about sums it up

''Those comments are similar to the ones Powell made earlier this month on “Inside The Gamecocks” with Jamie Bradford and Mike Morgan. Powell, the head coach of North Greenville, still follows the Gamecocks closely. He and his wife were watching a game recently and looked at the small crowd in attendance at Founders Parks, something he wasn’t used to seeing during his playing days at USC.''

“Sad about the state it is in,” Powell said of USC baseball in his hour-long interview. “There are so many people, players, coaches and fans that took so much pride about that program and building of that program. I was one of the players that helped build it.”

''Some fans wanted to see Powell get a shot to be USC’s next coach when Mark Kingston was fired after last season, but the Gamecocks went with Mainieri, who was retired but won a national championship at LSU.''

 

[sclawman77]

This about sums it up

''Those comments are similar to the ones Powell made earlier this month on “Inside The Gamecocks” with Jamie Bradford and Mike Morgan. Powell, the head coach of North Greenville, still follows the Gamecocks closely. He and his wife were watching a game recently and looked at the small crowd in attendance at Founders Parks, something he wasn’t used to seeing during his playing days at USC.''

“Sad about the state it is in,” Powell said of USC baseball in his hour-long interview. “There are so many people, players, coaches and fans that took so much pride about that program and building of that program. I was one of the players that helped build it.”

''Some fans wanted to see Powell get a shot to be USC’s next coach when Mark Kingston was fired after last season, but the Gamecocks went with Mainieri, who was retired but won a national championship at LSU.''

Another season like this one and we may be reaching out to Landon.

 

[Bushmaster]

(or perhaps exposé?) on 2025 USC baseball?

I realize there are 3 sides to every story, but after reading about some of the alleged incidents, I don't see how Donati can justify not having some sort of investigation to get to the bottom of things.

I don't see any path to success if this is how things truly are and are going to be in the future. Who will want to come play here, especially with this out there?

This needs to be either verified or debunked to remove the cloud it has cast over the program; it can't just be ignored.

“I don't see any path to success if this is how things truly are and are going to be in the future. Who will want to come play here, especially with this out there?”
Is this how things truly are?
Lecroy and Petry have come out on twitter and essentially contradicted the “expose “

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

Another season like this one and we may be reaching out to Landon.

Powell's hiring would make a statement about being serious about the future of the program.
Having history and skin in the program's past would bring some soul and pride back to the team.

 

[IPOC]

It appears to me the players are very unhappy with this coach.You can tell it on their faces..Myself I believe after this year change is needed asap or we will face the same type season again or worse.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

How long has this guy been retired?

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

“I don't see any path to success if this is how things truly are and are going to be in the future. Who will want to come play here, especially with this out there?”
Is this how things truly are?
Lecroy and Petry have come out on twitter and essentially contradicted the “expose “

Hence my remark about every story having 3 sides and needing an investigation to validate or debunk the story... but the one thing they cannot do is just pretend it isn't out there.

Now, whether or not that investigation is made public remains to be seen, but I can't imagine any competent manager not addressing the matter, if only internally, to be sure they've done their due dilligence.

If they do and most of it is found to be of no substance, then I doubt the public ever hears anything more than a statement of support for the coach and staff. If, however, the reverse is true, that's when it might become public so as to explain the resulting actions by the school.

Something to keep an eye on.

 

[Cackmandu]

Petry's comments are interesting! If the situation was as bad as the article says, the least Petry could have done would be to have no comment. So there ARE two sides to every story.

 

[sclawman77]

Good take by Cloniger.

Mainieri, Gamecocks have significant hill to climb to restore fallen baseball program

The season’s over. Paul Mainieri will get his chance to fix this, but the transfer portal beckons to players who may not want to stay after a losing season.

www.postandcourier.com

 

[jasonscottinsc]

(or perhaps exposé?) on 2025 USC baseball?

I realize there are 3 sides to every story, but after reading about some of the alleged incidents, I don't see how Donati can justify not having some sort of investigation to get to the bottom of things.

I don't see any path to success if this is how things truly are and are going to be in the future. Who will want to come play here, especially with this out there?

This needs to be either verified or debunked to remove the cloud it has cast over the program; it can't just be ignored.

So much to un pack here:
1) IF all in the story is true, yes, it's very disturbing. Whittle is a respected baseball writer, and Mainieri is a respected coach. It is very odd that nothing like this came out before in previous stops about Mainieri, which also makes you wonder how much is accurate.
2) It was very strange to me that there was no response to the article from Mainieri.
3) On the other side of it, when you see guys like LeCroy, Hollins, and Scobey say they're coming back, then is it possible that some of the claims in the story were exaggerated, that some of the claims were from disgruntled players, that maybe some of today's players are soft in comparison to a few years back (can't take criticism or "old school" coaching), and is it possible that the writer had a personal conflict with the staff (I had heard from more than one person that Mainieri did not allow his staff to have behind the scenes conversations with media without his consent). Then Petry tweeted something about not believing everything you read.
Interested to see what else comes of this.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

Good take by Cloniger.

Mainieri, Gamecocks have significant hill to climb to restore fallen baseball program

The season’s over. Paul Mainieri will get his chance to fix this, but the transfer portal beckons to players who may not want to stay after a losing season.

www.postandcourier.com

“I think we’re going to be a lot better next year.” Can it be any worse???

The program needs a whole lot of ''energy'' to climb that hill.

 

[Piscis]

"I think we’re going to be a lot better next year.”

Maineiri has slipped right into the culture of being a gamecock. "Next year" is always the best year.

 

[bayrooster]

"I think we’re going to be a lot better next year.”

Maineiri has slipped right into the culture of being a gamecock. "Next year" is always the best year.

Any bum off the street can do coach-speak.