South Carolina baseball coaching search: Potential Gameco*cks targets after Mark Kingston firing (2024)

The Gameco*cks associate head coach, Monte Lee is in his second stint at South Carolina after rejoining the coaching staff in August 2022. He likely lands an interview given his deep ties to the Palmetto State as a Lugoff, S.C., native who played college baseball at College of Charleston and later served several years as Clemson's head coach.Lee serves as the recruiting coordinator and hitting coach for the Gameco*cks, so he already has relationships with area and regional prep powerhouse programs.

A former draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2012, Josh Elander starred at TCU before beginning his coaching career shortly thereafter. His first job was at Arkansas prior to landing at Tennessee in 2017. Since hooking up with the Volunteers, Elander has risen toassociate head coach (2022) under Tony Vitello and has helped Tennessee become one of college baseball's most feared programs at the dish. Currently, the Vols are the No. 1 overall seed and will host a Super Regional next weekend. Elander is considered a rising star in the coaching ranks.

Previously one of two finalists for the LSU vacancy after the 2021 season that went to Jay Johnson, ECU's Cliff Godwin helped build quite a program in Greenville, N.C. One win away from another Super Regional appearance in his 10th season with the Pirates, Godwin is still gunning for a berth in the College World Series despite several conference championships and memorable postseason victories. Known regionally as a player's coach of sorts, Godwin is an ECU alumnus and may not be interested in leaving his alma-mater in order to finish what he started at the program.

Fresh off leading to Duke to an ACC Tournament title this season, Chris Pollard led the Blue Devils since 2013 after finishing early-career successat Pfeiffer and Appalachian State. He knows the fertile recruiting areas of the Carolinas and most importantly, has a penchant for landing talent from the Charlotte area. His relationship with numerous travel ball programs in the Southeast could result in an instant home run in recruiting.

Near the end of Year 17 at Florida, perhaps Kevin O'Sullivan seeks a change at another SEC powerhouse. He won a national championship with the Gators in 2017 and has earned runner-up status three other times in Omaha. He is a winner and has done so at the highest level. This would be a power move by South Carolina if the Gameco*cks could sway the veteran coach away from Gainesville. O'Sullivan's .681 winning percentage ranks third among active Division I coaches.

Mississippi State's Chris Lemonis grew up in Myrtle Beach, S.C., played at The Citadel and still has a "soft place in his heart" for South Carolina, sources said. He has led the Bulldogs since 2019 and is 20-11 overall in NCAA postseason play, including Mississippi State'snational championship at the College World Series in 2021. Mississippi State lost in regional play over the weekend, so Lemonis is available for a phone call if the Gameco*cks feel the need.

Landon Powellis often mentioned in South Carolina circles whenever the baseball vacancy is mentioned, but heis likely a longshot. The former program star from Raleigh, N.C. who helped the Gameco*cks reach the College world Series final against Texas in 2002 is the head coach of the North Greenville (S.C.) Crusaders and won a Division II national championship there.

Tom Walter led Wake Forest to Omaha as the No. 1 overall seed in 2023 with a jaw-dropping 54-12 season, including a 22-7 mark in the ACC. He's been coaching the Demon Deacons since the 2010 season and is routinely mentioned for some of college baseball's most prestigious college baseball jobs when they come open.