Sports
South Carolina Gamecocks Fire Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri
Paul Mainieri was fired as baseball coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks on March 21. Mainieri's tenure concluded amidst a historically poor season, prompting the change in leadership.
Paul Mainieri's firing comes as a surprise, given his hiring was expected to elevate the team. Mainieri was brought in after a medically required retirement of three years, following a Hall of Fame career at LSU, Notre Dame, Air Force and St. Thomas. The aim was for Mainieri to guide the Gamecocks beyond NCAA regional appearances and occasional trips to super regionals, rekindling the program's College World Series success of 2010-2012. Instead, the Gamecocks suffered a program-worst season in 2025, losing more games than in any of the previous 120 seasons. The team also set a Southeastern Conference (SEC) record by losing 24 of 30 conference games. The Gamecocks missed the postseason for the fifth time in the last 10 years.
Key Facts
- Paul Mainieri was fired on March 21.
- Mainieri had been hired to elevate the baseball program.
- The 2025 season was the worst in the program's history.
- The Gamecocks lost a record 24 of 30 SEC conference games.
- The team missed the postseason for the fifth time in 10 years.
- Mainieri took responsibility for the team's record over his 80 games as head coach.
- Mainieri believed the team would improve in 2026.
Primary Source
Research Sources
- Post and Courier — Mainieri out as Gamecocks' baseball coach
- On3 — Paul Mainieri expected to step down as head baseball coach