When South Carolina pulled Paul Mainieri out of retirement, there was an expectation he’d return the program to its status as a College World Series contender.

The team fell well short of that goal in his first season, and now, 23 games into his second season, he’s out. 

South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati announced his decision to fire Mainieri following the Gamecocks’ 22-6 loss to Arkansas in game one of a three-game series. 

“After a conversation this morning with Coach Mainieri, we agreed that it would be in the best interest of the program that we part ways at this time,” Donati said in a released statement. “I appreciate everything Paul has poured into our student-athletes and our program, not just at South Carolina, but throughout his career. He is a Hall of Fame coach and a world-class individual, and we wish him and his family all the best.”

Mainieri coached the team in 80 games. He was (40-40) overall and (6-28) in the SEC. The team finished second-to-last in the conference last year and missed the NCAA tournament. 

“I take full responsibility for the win/loss record of the baseball program over the 80 games I have served as head coach,” Mainieri said. “When Ray Tanner invited me to come out of three years of retirement to coach again, my goal was to work with young people again and restore the South Carolina program to greatness with a return to Omaha. My staff and I have worked diligently in an attempt to accomplish that goal. Unfortunately, that goal has not materialized as quickly as I would have liked and will take more time than I had anticipated and that is time that I just don’t have at my age.”

While Mainieri’s South Carolina tenure had more lows than highs, he will retire as a well-decorated baseball coach. Before coaching the Gamecocks, he was at LSU, Notre Dame and Air Force. 

Mainieri’s Tigers won the 2009 College World Series and six SEC tournament titles. He finishes with a career record of 1,545–817–8, which is 10th all-time. 

The Gamecocks will turn to longtime assistant Monte Lee to fill Mainieri’s role on an interim basis. Lee has head coaching experience, leading Charleston from 2009-15 and Clemson from 2016-22. 

Lee coached the Gamecocks' last two games against Arkansas. The team lost the first 3-2 in extra innings. 

South Carolina responded and won the second 9-4 to have a bit of momentum in conference play for the first time in a long time.