Paul Mainieri, one of college baseball’s most accomplished figures, took over as the 31st head coach of South Carolina’s program back in June 2024. His appointment, thought to breathe fresh air into the Gamecocks’ baseball program, has turned sour after an ugly first season in Columbia.
With less than 10 games remaining in the regular season, South Carolina sits at 26-24 (5-20 SEC) and is already looking towards 2026. Can Mainieri turn it around? Let’s look at his coaching career prior to the Gamecocks.
Meet South Carolina Baseball HC Paul Mainieri
Paul Mainieri, who was born on August 29, 1957, has transitioned from his days as a second baseman and has become the heart of the South Carolina Gamecocks baseball program now.
A well-versed man with many years of experience, Mainieri’s coaching spans multiple schools, including Air Force, Notre Dame, and LSU, where he won the national championship in 2009.
His playing career began at LSU in 1976. After one season, he transferred to Miami-Dade North Community College, playing under his father, Demie Mainieri, before moving to the University of New Orleans.
Mainieri’s coaching journey started in 1983 at St. Thomas University in Florida. Over six seasons, he led the Bobcats to a 179–121–2 record, becoming the program’s winningest coach. His No. 1 jersey was retired in 2012, and in 2013, the school named its new facility Paul Demie Mainieri Field.
In 1989, he accepted the head coaching role at Air Force, where he remained for six seasons and posted a 152–158 record, becoming the program’s second-winningest coach.
Mainieri’s tenure at Notre Dame began in 1995. Over 12 seasons, he built the Irish into a consistent postseason force, reaching nine NCAA tournaments and five consecutive Big East titles. His teams compiled a 533–213–3 (.714) record, and he earned Big East Coach of the Year honors in 2001. He also led the Irish to the 2002 College World Series.
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At LSU, which he joined in 2007, Mainieri faced early struggles but led a dramatic turnaround. In 2008, LSU won the SEC Tournament after a 23-game win streak and reached the College World Series. In 2009, the Tigers went 56–17, won the SEC regular-season and tournament titles, and captured the national championship over Texas.
Mainieri earned National Coach of the Year honors from Collegiate Baseball, Baseball America, and Rivals that season. He won further national awards in 2015, including the Skip Bertman Award. Mainieri retired in 2021 following a runner-up finish at the 2017 College World Series.
Mainieri’s most decorated tenure came at LSU (2007–2021), where he secured the 2009 national championship, won four SEC titles, and was named National Coach of the Year in 2008, 2009, and 2015.
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