Kevin Maguire Elevated to Assistant Softball Coach

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina softball head coach Beverly Smith announced that volunteer assistant coach Kevin Maguire has been promoted to full-time assistant coach. A new NCAA rule went into effect starting the 2023-24 season, allowing softball teams to have three full-time assistant coaches, and Maguire was elevated to fill the newly created assistant coach position.

“Kevin has been outstanding as our volunteer coach the last two seasons,” Smith said. “The infield has improved every season under his direction. I appreciate his loyalty to Gamecock softball, his commitment to development, and his dedication to our student-athletes. I am thrilled that his efforts can be rewarded by elevating him to a full-time staff position.”

Maguire spent the last two seasons with Carolina as a volunteer coach, working primarily with the overall defense, particularly the infielders. He also served as the third base coach. Under his watch, the Gamecocks set a new program record in 2023 for the fewest errors in a non-COVID season with 35. Carolina finished the season with a .978 fielding percentage, a 27-point improvement from a season ago. South Carolina ended the year 10th in the nation in the category and second in the SEC. It was the third best fielding percentage in program history.

A former minor league baseball player with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Maguire spent most of his time prior to his arrival providing instruction to softball players ages 14-17 for not-for-profit fastpitch teams that traveled across the country for competitions to prepare athletes to play at the collegiate level.

Maguire’s daughter, Kenzi, graduated in the spring of 2021 from South Carolina after a six-year career with the Garnet and Black. An Academic All-American and two-time All-SEC selection, she finished as one of the most successful players in program history.

Originally from New Port Richey, Florida, Maguire played baseball at Austin Peay State before he was signed by the Pirates. He caught for 15 future major league pitchers during his minor league career.

For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.