South Carolina baseball coach candidates: Four options Gamecocks could consider
South Carolina baseball needs a new coach. Here's what to know about the job and what names to know in the coaching search
COLUMBIA — South Carolina baseball's 2026 season is officially over. The Gamecocks lost 11-6 to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament first round May 19 in Hoover, Alabama. South Carolina likely played its last game under interim coach Monte Lee, who took over after the school announced March 21 that Paul Mainieri would not finish his second season.
Mainieri, 68, was hired in June 2024 to replace Mark Kingston, who was fired after seven seasons. Mainieri came out of retirement to take the job. In his first season, the Gamecocks went 28-29 and 6-24 in SEC play, the worst conference record in program history.
Lee took over when the Gamecocks were 12-11 overall, 0-4 in SEC play. They finished 22-35, 7-23. Their 13-game losing streak is the longest for the program since 1961.
Ray Tanner coached South Carolina baseball for 16 seasons, winning national titles in 2010 and 2011 before switching to athletic director in 2012. He retired in 2024, right after hiring Mainieri. Jeremiah Donati took over as AD in early 2025 and now has his first big coaching hire to make.
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