Tag: Paul Mainieri

Notre Dame coach Link Jarrett among finalists for LSU job

Could Jarrett be on his way out already?

Notre Dame soon could join the ranks of programs that have lost their coach after a pleasantly surprising season. Link Jarrett reportedly is one of three names in the final running for the coaching vacancy at LSU. A source says Jarrett recently interviewed for the job. Also in the running to replace the retired Paul Mainieri are Arizona’s Jay Johnson and East Carolina’s Cliff Godwin.

Notre Dame’s 2021 season was its best in years thanks largely to Jarrett’s leadership. The Irish made it to the super regionals and came within a win against Mississippi State of advancing to the College World Series. They finished with a 34-13 overall record, clinching the ACC Atlantic Division along the way. For his efforts, Jarrett was named the ACC Coach of the Year.

While losing Jarrett after only two seasons would be tough for Notre Dame, it’s difficult to say no to following in the footsteps of an accomplished coach like Mainieri. Somehow, the Irish would carry on without him, difficult as it may seem. Such is the case in college athletics.

LSU has reportedly interviewed two candidates for baseball coaching job

The Tigers aren’t pulling the trigger just yet as they seek their next baseball coach.

Much speculation has surrounded the LSU baseball coaching search since Paul Mainieri’s retirement.

According to a recent report from Glen Guilbeau of The Daily Advertiser, the Tigers have interviewed two candidates — Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco and East Carolina coach Cliff Godwin.

No offer was extended.

But the search is far from limited to Bianco and Godwin. It has also been reported that LSU is looking into coaches still contending in the College World Series.

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These names include Arizona coach Jay Johnson, Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin and Tennessee coach Tony Vitello. This is the first time Vitello, whose Volunteers recently sent the Tigers packing in the Knoxville Regional, has had his name tied to the opening at LSU.

It’s clear based on this that LSU is taking its time to make the right hire and that it could be roughly two weeks before we hear of any final decision.

It will be interesting to see how things continue to shake out as the program continues to look for its next head coach after also recently losing hitting coach Eddie Smith to Utah Valley and recruiting coordinator Nolan Cain to Texas A&M.

Regardless of the ultimate decision, this will mark the start of a very different era in Baton Rouge.

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Paul Mainieri wishes Tennessee well in College World Series

2021 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

No. 3 national seed Tennessee (50-16) hosted the Knoxville Super Regional against LSU (38-25) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols defeated LSU, 15-6, on Sunday, claiming the best-of-3 series two games to none. With the win, Tennessee advances to the College World Series for the fifth time in program history.

LSU’s loss to Tennessee was Tigers’ head coach Paul Mainieri’s final game of his career. Mainieri announced his retirement on May 28.

Following the Tennessee-LSU contest, Mainieri congratulated the Vols for making the College World Series.

“I’d like to congratulate the University of Tennessee and coach Tony Vitello for qualifying for the College World Series and winning the Super Regional,” Mainieri said. “They have an outstanding ball club and clearly deserve the opportunity that they are going to have, and I wish them well.”

Mainieri served as LSU’s head coach from 2007–21. The Tigers won the 2009 national championship.

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Paul Mainieri discusses UT atmosphere, Vols winning by ‘slimmest of margins’ four times

2021 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

No. 3 national seed Tennessee (49-16) defeated LSU (38-24), 4-2, in Game 1 of the Knoxville Super Regional.

Tennessee is now 4-0 against LSU this season. The Vols swept LSU in three games during the regular season.

Game 2 is slated for 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. ESPN2 will televise the matchup.

Following the contest, LSU head coach Paul Mainieri discussed how the Tigers handled the atmosphere at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

“I just think our guys were focusing on trying to beat the players on the field,” Paul Mainieri said. “You know, it was obviously an enthusiastic crowd, the place was packed. You know, they’re playing for a lot and we’re playing for a lot, so you know it’s a typical SEC environment. We’ve seen it before and we’ve seen it lots of times, and our players are used to it and I don’t think we’re uptight or anything.

“I think we just, you know, are trying to beat a really good ballclub with really good players. We’re out there competing and I thought, I thought our guys really played hard tonight and competed hard, and that they came out on top. The difference in the game was very slim again, you know, we’ve played these guys four times, and you know this, by the slimmest of margins they’ve come out on top in all four of the games. We need to try to reverse that tomorrow.”

Mainieri is set to retire after the 2021 season. He won the 2009 national championship at LSU.

WATCH: Paul Mainieri introduced to Lindsey Nelson Stadium crowd

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WATCH: Paul Mainieri introduced to Lindsey Nelson Stadium crowd

2021 Knoxville Super Regional: Tennessee-LSU

No. 3 national seed Tennessee (48-16) is hosting LSU (38-23) in the NCAA Tournament super regional June 12-14.

Ahead of Game 1, LSU head coach Paul Mainieri was introduced during the Tigers’ lineup at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Following the Vols sweeping LSU in a regular season series at home in March, Mainieri described Tennessee as a hostile environment.

“It was an extremely hostile environment,” Mainieri said. “Nasty fans, nasty. They were into Tre’ Morgan’s head. “I mean, they were on him from the moment he walked out on that field. It was a difficult situation.

“The umpires, there were a lot of calls that went against us, and they were having to deal with that. The other team was not handling things with a lot of class, quite frankly. It was an environment, that those kids were in for the very first time, and it was very difficult.”

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LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri announces retirement after 15 record-breaking seasons

Mainieri is leaving LSU baseball at the conclusion of this season.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri announced his retirement after 15 impressive seasons serving as the Tiger’s head coach.

Mainieri joined the team back in 2007, but in no ways was this his first rodeo. The Louisiana legend is currently completing his 39th year overall as a head coach throughout his long and notable career. 

Prior to his LSU successes, Mainieri coached at St. Thomas University from 1984-88, Air Force from 1989-94, and Notre Dame from 1995-06.

Some of his most noteworthy accomplishments include leading the team to the 2009 College World Series national championship and five CWS appearances. 

In his time at LSU, Coach put up a staggering 637 game wins-securing him the No.1 spot on the list for active NCAA coaches and No.9 all-time NCAA wins. He is one of six coaches in NCAA history to have won over 1,500 games as well as a national championship. 

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Under Mainieri’s guidance, the Tigers made nine super regional appearances and five College World Series. With his 1501 wins, the legendary coach has the third-highest winning percentage in LSU history.

Mainieri isn’t the only record-breaking coach LSU has seen in the past few decades. Following coach Skip Bertman and coach Ray Tanner, he had a lot to live up to-and he most definitely did not disappoint Tiger nation. He took the pressure with stride and class like no other. 

“Make no mistake about it, the goal is to return LSU to the pinnacle position in college baseball,” Mainieri said in his first presser after being announced head coach back in 2006.

“I have all the confidence in the world that we can do that here.”

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Coach Paul Mainieri will go down in histroy as one of the most prominent coaches Baton Rouge has ever seen, his legacy will live on for years and years to come. 

“Today is a day of celebration,” Athletic Director Scott Woodward wrote.

“Coach Mainieri’s career is one that others will strive to match, yet few will succeed. His dedication to the sport of baseball and to LSU has been, and will continue to be, unwavering, and we are forever grateful; to him for his commitment to excellence at LSU.”

Not only did CPM contribute to the success of LSU Baseball, he could also be seen speaking to various classes as a motivator and mentor. He will truly be missed on campus. 

Who knows, maybe we’ll see an SEC Network documentary on Mainieri next.

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LSU pitcher Jaden Hill will miss the rest of the season

LSU right-hander Jaden Hill was supposed to have a breakout season in 2021.

LSU right-hander Jaden Hill was supposed to have a breakout season in 2021. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, and Hill’s season is over after just seven appearances for the Tigers.

LSU coach Paul Mainieri said on Monday that Hill suffered a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow.

The 6-foot-4, 234-pound junior from Ashdown, Arkansas, made seven starts for LSU in 2021, recording a 6.67 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He was 2-3 on the season. Hill struck out 25 batters in 29.2 innings pitched.

Mainieri released a statement on the disappointing news.

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“It’s heartbreaking for all of us to receive this news,” Mainieri said, “but it’s especially disappointing for Jaden as a young man who has such a bright future in baseball. We will do everything we can to support Jaden in his return to full health. He has a tremendous work ethic, and I’m very confident he will overcome this setback.”

The LSU baseball team is currently 17-11 on the season, but just 1-8 in SEC play. The Tigers have lost six of their last seven games.

LSU returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts McNeese State.

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LSU baseball falls to Vanderbilt, drops to 1-8 in SEC play

The No. 2 Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the LSU Tigers, 5-4, on Saturday at Alex Box Stadium to sweep the series. 

The No. 2 Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the LSU Tigers, 5-4, on Saturday at Alex Box Stadium to sweep the series.

The loss drops LSU to 17-11 on the season and 1-8 in SEC play.

After being blown out in the first two games of the series, LSU was in this one through six innings.

In the top of the seventh inning, Vanderbilt left fielder Jack Bulger broke a 3-3 tie with a two-run home run over the left-field wall to give Vanderbilt a lead it would never relinquish.

The Tigers would score another run in the bottom of the ninth inning when left fielder Gavin Dugas scored first baseman Tre Morgan on a sacrifice fly. Unfortunately, LSU came up just short as Drew Bianco was stranded on third base to end the game.

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Freshman right-hander Garrett Edwards took the loss for LSU and is now 0-2 on the season.

After the game, LSU coach Paul Mainieri discussed how good of a team Vanderbilt is.

“Vanderbilt really has no weaknesses; they’re an unbelievable team,” Mainieri said. “It’s one of the best teams I’ve seen Vanderbilt have in the 15 years I’ve been at LSU.

The Tigers are back in action on Tuesday when McNeese State visits Alex Box Stadium. LSU returns to SEC play next Friday when it travels to Kentucky for a three-game series.

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LSU baseball dominated by No. 2 Vanderbilt in series opener

The LSU Tigers dropped to 17-9 on the season and 1-6 in SEC play after a 13-1 loss to Vanderbilt in Baton Rouge on Thursday.

The LSU Tigers dropped to 17-9 on the season and 1-6 in SEC play after a 13-1 loss to Vanderbilt in Baton Rouge on Thursday.

The No. 2 Commodores jumped on LSU right-hander Landon Marceaux in the fifth inning, scoring four runs to increase their lead to 5-0. Vanderbilt followed that inning with another four-run inning, and the game was suddenly 9-0.

Marceaux would depart in the sixth inning after giving up nine hits and nine runs — eight of which were earned — in 5.1 innings. He was charged with the loss and fell to 2-3 on the season.

LSU used three pitchers in the game, allowing a combined 17 hits, four walks and three wild pitches.

The Tigers scored their only run in the bottom of the sixth inning when freshman right fielder Dylan Crews singled to drive in first baseman Tre Morgan.

After the game, LSU coach Paul Mainieri was dejected.

“It certainly was a disappointing night; Vanderbilt has a great ball club, and they took advantage of every opportunity that we gave them,” said Mainieri.

“We take a lot of pride in wearing the LSU uniform and in representing the great legacy of this program in the best way possible, so we’re going to come out tomorrow and give it everything we have to compete at a high level.”

The Tigers host the Commodores again on Friday in game two of the series. LSU faces Vanderbilt sophomore right-hander Jack Leiter, one of the top pitchers in all of college baseball.

LSU head coach Paul Mainieri describes Tennessee as ‘extremely hostile environment’

No. 6 Tennessee (22-4, 5-1 SEC) swept LSU last week during a weekend series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

No. 6 Tennessee (22-4, 5-1 SEC) swept LSU last week during a weekend series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

LSU head coach Paul Mainieri appeared on ESPN Baton Rouge 104.5 and discussed the Tigers’ three-game series at Tennessee.

“It was an extremely hostile environment,” Mainieri said. “Nasty fans, nasty. They were into Tre’ Morgan’s head. “I mean, they were on him from the moment he walked out on that field. It was a difficult situation.

“The umpires, there were a lot of calls that went against us, and they were having to deal with that. The other team was not handling things with a lot of class, quite frankly. It was an environment, that those kids were in for the very first time, and it was very difficult.”

Tennessee will open a three-game series Friday at Alabama.

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