Gamecock Digest

Mainieri Expects the Gamecocks Back "in Omaha and in the College World Series"

Alex Joyce

LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Alexandria's luncheon Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. Wayne Thomas, bishop of House of Praise Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, and his wife co-pastor Cherica Thomas and daughters, Jamesha Thomas and Jania Thomas, serve a free chili meal with crackers, cake and a drink and hand out free clothes at the church's property at 2305 Bayou Rapides Avenue which is set to become the church's new home in 2019. The church serves
LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Alexandria's luncheon Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. Wayne Thomas, bishop of House of Praise Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, and his wife co-pastor Cherica Thomas and daughters, Jamesha Thomas and Jania Thomas, serve a free chili meal with crackers, cake and a drink and hand out free clothes at the church's property at 2305 Bayou Rapides Avenue which is set to become the church's new home in 2019. The church serves / Melinda Martinez

On Thursday, after a Board of Trustees meeting at South Carolina, Paul Mainieri is officially announced as the new skipper for Gamecocks Baseball. The former national champion head coach is looking forward to working with the team and South Carolina Athletic Director, Ray Tanner.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to coach at a prestigious and tradition rich college baseball program," Mainieri said. "I coached and competed against Ray Tanner for years and always had the greatest respect for him and the USC program."

With his guys in place, Mainieri plans to get South Carolina back to it's rightful place within college baseball.

"We have a super coaching staff in place, I feel great and energized, I can't wait to get started working with the players," Mainieri said. "Let's get this University of South Carolina baseball program back to where it belongs, in Omaha and in the College World Series."

Ray Tanner, South Carolina Atheltics Director, talks about the effect Mainieri will have on the program.

"One can judge his success through his many championships, SEC and NCAA, but I see the impact he has made on young men and know he can have that same success here as he achieved in his career," Tanner said.

Shortly after Mainieri was announced, his staff was brought together. Monte Lee was retained from the previous staff and will continue in his role of associate head coach/hitting coach. Terry Rooney heads over from Baton Rouge to join the staff as a pitching coach/recruiting coordinator. Rooney previously worked with Mainieri and even helped land the #1 recruiting class in 2009 at LSU. John Hendry is brought over from the University of Virginia, where he served as the director of player development and scouting. Hendry will serve as an assistant coach on Mainieri's staff.

The winningest active coach in college baseball now makes his home in Columbia, South Carolina.

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Alex Joyce
ALEX JOYCE