South Carolina Board of Trustees announces contract details for Paul Mainieri as next head coach
South Carolina needed a new head coach and reports stated Paul Mainieri was expected to be the program’s next guy. On Tuesday, the South Carolina Board of Trustees approved a five-year contract for $1.3 million per year for Mainieri, per Wes Mitchell of Gamecock Central. A big-name hire for South Carolina AD Ray Tanner as somebody with a ton of SEC experience makes his way to Columbia.
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Mainieri last coached during the 2021 season with the LSU Tigers. He spent a total of 15 seasons in Baton Rouge, winning four regular season championships, six SEC Tournament titles, made 12 NCAA Tournaments, five College World Series, and a national championship in 2007. If you only look at what he accomplished at LSU, his resume is loaded.
Notre Dame was the first big-time job Mainieri held, making the NCAA Tournament nine times over the course of 12 seasons. The Fighting Irish have just three College World Series appearances in their history, with one of them coming under Mainieri in 2002.
Success has followed Mainieri for around three decades now. South Carolina will be his next attempt to reach college baseball’s biggest stage and hopefully bring back a consistent national championship contender.
South Carolina coming off disappointing end to 2024 season
South Carolina is fresh off a 37-25 season and an NCAA Tournament appearance. However, they did not make it out of the regionals, winning just one game in the Raleigh Regional. The two losses came at the hands of NC State and James Madison, with the Wolfpack eventually advancing to the Super Regionals.
Kingston took over in 2018, making the NCAA Tournament four times in six seasons. Just twice did they advance to the Super Regionals and never did the Gamecocks make the College World Series.
Tanner felt the need to make a move and find a new coach. Not being able to make the next step ultimately cost Kingston his job. Now, Tanner is hoping Mainieri and his SEC experience are what can get South Carolina back to consistently competing at the highest level and making a few more trips to Omaha.