Video Roundup: Paul Mainieri, Ray Tanner, Monte Lee press conferences
Missed any of Thursday’s press conferences? No worries. GamecockCentral has you covered with a complete video roundup. Hear from South Carolina’s newest baseball coach Paul Mainieri, assistant coach Monte Lee, and Director of Athletics Ray Tanner with each video included below.
[Get your first month of GamecockCentral for $1!]
Paul Mainieri
– During his talk with Ray Tanner, he didn’t know Monte Lee but knew of him. Mainieri deferred to Ray as to why it would be important to keep Monte on staff. He slept on it before talking with Monte to let him know that he wanted him to be part of his coaching staff. Said the conversation lasted more than two hours. It was very blunt and honest and Mainieri could tell quickly how similar they are with their vision.
– Mentions that his age is just a number and that he feels like he’s in his 40s again because of how excited he is to be. Mentions how excited he is to meet Dawn Staley, Shane Beamer, Lamont Paris, and the other Gamecock coaches.
– Came to South Carolina to win. Believes with the talent they have and the coaching staff they’ve been able to put together, they should be able to compete right away. Doesn’t have three or a five-year plan. Has a one-year plan.
Ray Tanner
– Tanner is convinced that Mainieri isn’t finished. Once Mainieri had his surgery at LSU, he just sensed that’s not how he wanted to go out. Said with a smile that it’s a five-year contract and that he’s not holding him to five years. “I want more.”
– He told Mainieri about Lee but ultimately the decision to keep Lee on staff was by Mainieri. Shared how he was able to keep the team together last week, despite the tough circumstances, on top of the job he did while being an assistant under Tanner when he was with the Gamecocks for his first go-around.
– The program hasn’t been horrible but they’ve missed in moments and games to get them over the hump. Admires Chad Holbrook and Mark Kingston and the job they did but pointed out that they have expectations and not apathy.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Travis Hunter
Heisman goes to Colorado 2-way star
- 2Hot
Final Heisman votes totals
Closest result since 2009
- 3
Miller Moss
USC transfer QB to the ACC
- 4
CFP Expansion
Cam Ward weighs in
- 5Trending
Ref salute
Official honors vets in-game
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
[Subscribe for free to Gamecock Central’s YouTube page]
Monte Lee
– Doesn’t believe he deserves anything. South Carolina, and more specifically Paul Mainieri, didn’t have to keep him on staff. He’s incredibly grateful to still be part of the Gamecocks
– Was extremely moved by the support that both current players, as well as recruits, showed last week when they voiced that they wanted to see Lee become South Carolina’s next head coach. Said when he’s old relationships are what he’ll valuable the most so he tried to live that while he’s younger with the players he gets to meet and coach.
– Mainieri made a comment that down the road he’d like to see Lee in a position to take over South Carolina’s program. Lee downplayed the comments by sharing all he’s worried about is the present.
Breakdown: Biggest takeaways from Mainieri’s introductory press conference
GamecockCentral’s Jack Veltri and I share our biggest takeaways from Thursday’s press conference with multiple soundbites from Mainieri, Tanner, and Lee.
