The future of South Carolina baseball head coach Paul Mainieri is under heavy scrutiny as the Gamecocks have endured a challenging 2025 season so far. The speculation intensified following a rough weekend of conference play, where the Gamecocks were swept by the Florida Gators. South Carolina dropped the final two game of the series 22-3 and 8-0, adding fuel to the already growing frustration.
With a 26-23 overall record and 5-19 in conference play, the team faces an uphill battle heading towards the NCAA Tournament, needing to win the SEC Tournament to even qualify.
Mainieri is in his first year at South Carolina and has acknowledged underestimated the strength of the SEC schedule, despite his extensive experience coaching in the conference. To fans, this admission, combined with the team's performance, has led to questions about whether or not he is suited for the role.
South Carolina is not making a rush decision about the future of its baseball program, however. According to a university source, no major changes will be made until after the season, including any coaching changes.
If South Carolina were to part ways with Mainieri after the season, the move would come at a cost, a very large cost. His contract includes a $5.2 million buyout, for the full remainder of a four-year, $1.3 million-per-year deal. However, if Mainieri voluntarily left for another program, he would owe South Carolina that same amount. Although, he would not owe anything if he left " for any other reason," per the terms of his contract.
Additionally, firing Mainieri could trigger buyout obligations for his staff. Hitting coach Monte Lee would be owed $1.1 million and pitching coach Terry Rooney would receive $850,000. Complicating matters further is the upcoming NCAA House settlement. Pending approval, Power-4 schools like South Carolina could be expected to distribute $20.5 million annually to student-athletes. That expense could post major budget challenges in addition to coaching buyouts.
This season's struggles have been caused by several different things such as being outmatched, losing by an average of nearly six runs per game. Also, injuries to key position players like Ethan Petry, Nolan Nawrocki, and Talmadge LeCroy have not helped. The pitching staff has stayed healthy outside of the season-long absence of Ei Jerzembeck and Eddi Cooper. Regardless, the Gamecock rank near the bottom of the conference in ERA standings with 8.42.
Mainieri has been quite vocal on the struggles on the field week and week out and admitted in a recent radio appearance that he "had just underestimated the strength of the conference and how much better it’s gotten in the last couple of years.”
Mainieri credentials are undeniable, coaching a national championship team at LSU in 2009, and he was handpicked by former coach-turned-athletic director Ray Tanner to revive the program.
And on Monday, Mainieri made it clear that he was not going anywhere by stating, "I’m not going anywhere. I’m totally committed to getting this program back on track and competing for championships. There's no conversations about anything."
South Carolina's Remaining Schedule:
May 9-11 at Auburn
- Thurs: 8 p.m. (ESPNU)
- Fri: 7 p.m. (SEC Network+)
- Sat: 3:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
May 13 vs. Winthrop – 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)
May 15-17 vs. LSU
- Wed: 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
- Thurs: 7 p.m. (SEC Network+)
- Fri: 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)