A former Clemson head coach is taking over as a head coach of the rival Gameocks.

According to multiple reports, South Carolina is expected to part ways with baseball coach Paul Mainieri and that former Tigers’ head coach Monte Lee will take over the role in an interim capacity for the rest of the season.

After coming out of retirement to replace Mark Kingston, Mainieri was just 28-29 during his first season at the helm in 2025, going 6-24 in SEC play. He was off to just a 12-11 start this season and has dropped each of the first four games in conference play, including a 22-6 run-rule loss to Arkansas on Friday night. Mainieri was also just 1-5 against Clemson.

Lee served as the head coach at Clemson from 2016-22. He led Clemson to an ACC title in his first season and regional appearances in each of his first four seasons. The Tigers would miss the field in both of his final two years, leading to his departure. In 2021, Clemson had its first losing season since 1957 with Lee at the helm.

Lee finished his tenure at Clemson with a 242-136 record, including a 102-86 mark in ACC regular-season play.