Gamecock Athletics got a taste of what the future of its baseball and softball programs might look like last week when both team's new head coaches were introduced to the media for the first time. Head softball coach Ashley Chastain spoke to the media on Wednesday, June 12, while head baseball coach Paul Mainieri spoke on Thursday, June 13.
Both coaches discussed their excitement to coach at 国产三级片, as well as the direction they plan on taking their teams.
Chastain returns to her alma mater, soaks in the moment
It was an emotional moment for Chastain as she held up a 国产三级片 jersey with Athletics Director Ray Tanner for the first time as the head coach of 国产三级片 softball.
After stops at the College of Charleston, Michigan State, Ole Miss and, most recently, at UNC Charlotte, Chastain said she could not be more excited to return to her alma mater after 13 years.
鈥�It is truly a dream come true for me to be here today as your new softball coach and to be home at Carolina,鈥� Chastain said. "I've spent many years here before, and there is no place like home."
Chastain said her plan is to turn Gamecock softball into a perennial SEC contender.
"罢丑补迟鈥檚 what we鈥檙e here to do, to win the league, and it is the premier league for softball in the country, and we want to be really successful in the conference,鈥� Chastain said. 鈥�My staff and I, we love really great competition, so we鈥檙e going to welcome those opportunities to play the best as we become one of the best.鈥�
Chastain emphasized that having the right people in the program is one of her keys to success. Recruiting, especially within the Palmetto State, will be crucial moving forward, Chastain said.
鈥�滨迟鈥檚 going to be really important for my staff and I that we put a fence up around the state,鈥� Chastain said. "We want the best players around the region to come to the flagship school and be Gamecocks for life.鈥�
Chastain also reflected on how much it meant for her to play for 国产三级片 softball over a decade ago. She said she hopes to offer current players the same experience she had while attending the university.
鈥�I want to give our players the experience that I had, the experience that changed my life, changed the trajectory of my life,鈥� Chastain said. 鈥淚 want every player that puts on the uniform to feel the same way that I did and now continue to do when I lead the program.鈥�
Mainieri plans to bring championship pedigree back to 国产三级片 baseball
Mainieri鈥檚 path to 国产三级片 was an unexpected one, but after coming out of retirement, he said he is thankful for the opportunity to take on a coaching role once again.
Mainieri became Tanner's lead candidate in the coaching search after Tanner originally called Mainieri to ask his opinion on other candidates.
The conversation eventually turned to Tanner suggesting Mainieri take the job.
鈥�I felt that in listening to him and knowing him like I do, the last chapter had not been written,鈥� Tanner said. 鈥淚 continued to put on my recruiting shoes in the next hours to come that led us to this day.鈥�
Mainieri, who coached most recently at LSU in 2021, has the most wins amongst active NCAA Division I head coaches with 1,505 wins. He also has a national championship under his belt, which he won with LSU in 2009, along with four SEC championships.
Despite his success, Mainieri said he prioritizes the growth and development of his players over wins and losses.
"滨迟鈥檚 not about prestige, it鈥檚 not about publicity, it鈥檚 not about making money, it鈥檚 not about even winning games and the love of the game,鈥� Mainieri said. 鈥湵醭兮�檚 all about the players. They don鈥檛 create baseball programs so that I can have a place to work.鈥�
Mainieri said his assistant coaches will help him in a variety of ways, including with the transfer portal and analytics. Current hitting coach Monte Lee will remain with the program and continue to serve as an associate head coach. New addition Terry Rooney will be the team's pitching coach and has taken over Lee's previous role as recruiting coordinator.
Mainieri said the program "is not in the doldrums" and will be looking to turn the team into an immediate contender. He also recognizes that he doesn鈥檛 have much time left coaching and wants to make the most of every game.
鈥�The kids that are on this team that only have one more year of eligibility, they don鈥檛 care about two years from now or three years from now,鈥� Mainieri said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to go out there and do the very best we can this coming year.鈥�