South Carolina’s new head baseball coach isn’t wasting any time taking shots at Clemson.
On Thursday afternoon, Paul Mainieri was officially introduced as the 31st head baseball coach in South Carolina history.
During his introductory press conference, Mainieri slid in a couple of jabs at the Gamecocks’ in-state rival.
Here’s how Mainieri threw shade at Clemson, via Cole Bryson of The Fan Upstate and Chapel Fowler of The State Newspaper:
“Being in the midlands is a lot better than being in the Upstate. I can promise you that.”#Gamecock Paul Mainieri already taking shots at #Clemson.
— Cole Bryson (@TheColeBryson) June 13, 2024
New South Carolina baseball coach Paul Mainieri already leaning into the rivalry in his intro presser:
"I had a few dealings with Monte Lee when he was the head coach at Clemson …"
Pauses
"Am I allowed to say that? Or should I just say the team up north?"
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) June 13, 2024
Mainieri was officially named the head baseball coach at South Carolina on Tuesday, June 11. On his staff, Mainieri retained former Clemson head coach and current Gamecock associate head coach/hitting coach Monte Lee.
Mainieri, who is the active leader in career wins in Division I (1,505), spent 15 seasons (2007-21) at LSU, where he led the program to the 2009 national championship. The two-time SEC Coach of the Year and four-time National Coach of the Year has made six College World Series appearances, including five with LSU and one with Notre Dame.
–Photo courtesy of SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network
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