Paul Mainieri has been named the head baseball coach at the University of South Carolina, Athletics Director Ray Tanner announced on Tuesday, June 11. He becomes the 31st head coach in the history of Gamecock baseball. Mainieri also announced the retention of associate head coach/hitting coach Monte Lee and the additions of pitching coach/recruiting coordinator Terry Rooney and assistant coach John Hendry.
“Paul Mainieri is an outstanding coach, teacher, competitor and someone that I have known for many years. 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 has achieved in his career.”
Mainieri, who is the active leader in career wins in Division I (1,505), guided LSU to a 2009 national championship and a 2017 runner-up finish. He has made six College World Series appearances, five with LSU and one with Notre Dame, four SEC championships, six SEC Tournament championships and 10 NCAA regional championships. Mainieri is a two-time SEC Coach of the Year and a four-time National Coach of the Year (2000, ’08, ’09 and ’15).
“This is a wonderful opportunity to coach at a prestigious and tradition-rich college baseball program. We have a super coaching staff in place, I feel great and energized, I can’t wait to get started working with the players, and let’s get this University of South Carolina baseball program back to where it belongs – in Omaha and in the College World Series.”
Meet Paul Mainieri’s staff
Monte Lee, Associate Head Coach/Hitting Coach
Lee is no stranger to Gamecock baseball as he has spent two stints as an assistant coach, most recently the last two seasons as the associate head coach/recruiting coordinator. The Gamecock offense hit 218 home runs in his two seasons in Columbia, including Ethan Petry’s 44, which is tied for fifth on Carolina’s all-time home runs list.
Terry Rooney, Pitching Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Rooney joins the Gamecocks from LSU, where he was the Tigers’ Associate Director of Program Development and Recruiting for the 2024 season. It was his second stint in Baton Rouge, as he was the pitching coach/recruiting coordinator under Coach Mainieri for two seasons (2007-08), helping the Tigers to a berth in the 2008 College World Series and assembling the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class that contributed significantly to LSU’s 2009 National Championship team.
John Hendry, Assistant Coach
Hendry comes to the Garnet and Black after three seasons as the University of Virginia’s Director of Player Development. In his three seasons in Charlottesville, Hendry has helped the Cavaliers to three straight College World Series appearances, including a trip in 2024 after defeating Kansas State in the Super Regional.
Ticket Information
It’s not too early to make plans for the 2025 season. We’re going to need Founders Park packed next season.
Current season ticket holders can now renew their tickets for the 2025 season.
If you aren’t a season ticket holder, you can place a deposit today on season tickets or request more information.
Ways to support the program
In order to succeed at the highest levels, we need your support. In addition to purchasing season tickets, there are other ways you can support the program.
Sport-Specific Giving Program
The Gamecock Club created the Sport-Specific Giving Program to provide alumni, Gamecock Club members, and fans an exclusive opportunity to direct their financial support to the team of their choice. Every dollar donated to the Sport-Specific Giving Program has an immediate impact on the greatest needs of the program of your designation.
NIL
Support Coach Paul Mainieri’s baseball program in attracting and retaining the nation’s top talent by contributing to Garnet Trust. All donations directly support South Carolina baseball NIL.
