The foundation of Kevin Schnall’s system is starting to be put in place. 

South Carolina announced the addition of multiple personnel to its baseball staff. This includes new associate head coaches, hitting coaches, pitching coaches, recruiting coordinators and operations staff. 

“I’m incredibly excited about this staff because it’s built on trust, loyalty, and alignment,” Schnall said. “We have a group of talented people who believe in the same vision, will care deeply about our players and are committed to building something special here at the University of South Carolina. The relationships within this staff are authentic, the work ethic is unmatched, and together we’re laying the foundation for sustained success.”

Below is a bit of information about each of the new hires. 

Chad Oxendine - Associate Head Coach/Outfield Coach

Chad Oxendine followed Schnall to South Carolina from Coastal Carolina, where he was also the associate head coach. 

Oxendine spent two seasons in the role during his second stint with the team. He helped the Chanticleers reach the 2025 College World Series. Before that, he was head coach at Longwood University for three seasons, leading its team during a successful stretch. 

Bill Cilento - Associate Head Coach/Hitting Coach

Bill Cilento spent the past 17 years on the staff at Wake Forest. 

For the past eight seasons, he was the program’s associate head coach and helped the Demon Decans create one of the country’s most productive offenses. While at Wake, Cilento oversaw the development of many future drafted and pro players. 

Matt Williams - Pitching Coach

Matt Williams is another coach coming over to South Carolina from Coastal. 

Williams served as the pitching coach at Coastal under Schnall, guiding the unit during their College World Series appearance. That year, the team finished second nationally in ERA and WHIP. 

This will be a return to Columbia for Williams, as he was the pitching coach for the Gamecocks in the 2023 season when the team reached the Raleigh Regional. 

Tyler Shewmaker - Recruiting Coordinator/Catching Coach

Another coach following Schnall from Coastal is Tyler Shewmaker. He will be the Gamecocks’ recruiting coordinator and catching coach in 2027. 

This will be Shewmaker’s second stop in the SEC after being on Vanderbilt’s staff before his time at Coastal. Shewmaker has also coached at Campbell and his alma mater, Kentucky Wesleyan. 

Dylan Eskew - Director of Pitching Development 

Former South Carolina pitcher Dylan Eskew is returning to his alma mater as the director of pitching development. 

Eskew was a pitcher for the Gamecocks from 2023-25. After graduating, he joined the Coastal Carolina staff for the 2026 season and will follow coach Schnall over, serving the same role. 

Matt Pepin - General Manager/Director of Analytics 

Matt Pepin left Coastal to become the general manager and director of analytics for the Gamecocks. 

Pepin uses data and technology to enhance player development and game strategy. A Coastal Carolina graduate, Pepin got his start serving as the program’s Analytics & Video Coordinator as a student,

Mickey Beach - Director of Baseball Operations 

Mickey Beach had held prominent roles under both Schnall and Oxendine.

At Coastal and Longwood, Beach is credited with helping develop players, especially infielders. He has previously worked as a bridge between the analytics team and the coaching staff. 

Michael Thomson - Director of Baseball Performance

Michael Thompson had been on Coastal’s staff since 2023 before making the move to South Carolina. 

There, he was the assistant director of speed, strength and conditioning for the baseball and golf programs. Before that, he got pro experience working in the Baltimore Orioles organization as a strength and conditioning coach for over two years.