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The South Carolina baseball team posted one of its worst seasons in program history under first-year coach Paul Mainieri, going 28-29 alongside an awful 6-24 mark in SEC play.
Both totals set records for losses in a season. Calls for the coach’s removal quickly surfaced. One Gamecocks player’s dad added to the drama with an online accusation on player treatment.
Roman Kimball just wrapped up his redshirt junior season in Columbia. He appeared in eight games out of the bullpen this year, recording an ERA of 16.50 across six innings of work.
It represented a steep drop in production from the year prior, when he made eight starts and posted a 2-2 record after recovering from an injury that kept him sidelined in 2023.
Kimball was one of many players to stay through a coaching transition from the old staff to the new. He won’t, however, be sticking around any longer.
Last week, his father posted a now-deleted transfer message on Facebook. He says his son intends to move on from the university this offseason.
Jeff Kimball took aim at the new regime in that post. He blasted their coaching style while also questioning the staff’s IQ.
South Carolina baseball players are responding to Roman Kimball’s dad’s post.
Well, it is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to Gamecock baseball. It has been an honor to be part of the family. I only wish this year was as successful as the previous two, but that’s what happens when coaches who don’t know HOW to coach and just yell at and berate players all season are put in charge.
While I hope the team eventually turns it around, unfortunately, it won’t be soon with those two morons in charge.
The two “morons” would seem to head coach Paul Mainieri, who won a national title at LSU, and associate head coach/hitting coach Monte Lee. Kimball isn’t happy with the direction the program is headed.
He’s not the first parent to take a shot at the current coaching staff. Earlier this month, pitcher Matthew Becker’s mom threw shade in a response to success at an SEC rival while cryptically calling for Mainieri’s replacement.
Amazing what a team can do when they respect their coach and are playing for their survival.
-Laurie Becker via X
Both South Carolina baseball parents question if players respect the coaches. The style of coaching seems to have rubbed some the wrong way. The lack of success only added to the frustration.
Despite the negative narrative surrounding the program, a few current players have come out to voice support of the staff. Potential first-round MLB Draft pick Ethan Petry was the latest.
The slugger, who hit .321 this season and has piled up 54 home runs across his three-year career, told followers to take the criticism with a grain of salt.
So many great memories in the Garnet and Black for the past 3 years! I know the season didn’t turn out the way we wanted. Fans, don’t always be quick to believe what you read and stay being positive. Our program is in great hands and looking forward to seeing where it goes.
Roman Kimball also offered up a response to his father’s recent commentary. He distanced himself from the accusations while confirming his transfer intentions.
He wrote the following in a message on X posted Monday night.
— Roman Kimball (@rkimball02) May 26, 2025
The South Carolina baseball team is not expected to move on from Paul Mainieri following his disastrous first year. Some parents might disagree with that decision.
While criticism has followed the new staff throughout the year, there are players that believe the current coaches can right the ship. Mainieri’s seat will be hot in Year 2.