South Carolina announces hiring of Kevin Schnall; contract details revealed
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Kevin Schnall was hired as South Carolina‘s new head baseball coach on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the program made it official.
Schnall becomes the 33rd coach in program history. The Gamecocks fired Paul Maineiri during the 2025 season, launching a search for a new head coach. Interim head coach Monte Lee was not retained after the 2026 season came to an end in the SEC Tournament.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin Schnall and his family to South Carolina as the leader of our baseball program,” South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati said in a program release. “Kevin has demonstrated excellence as a leader, coach, recruiter, and developer of student-athletes throughout his career, and we are incredibly happy to have him lead our baseball program into the future. The passion, vision and energy he brings will elevate our program and put us in position to be successful at the highest level. We are looking forward to this new era of Gamecock baseball and we know our fans will be excited by the brand of baseball his teams play – fundamentally sound, relentlessly competitive, and with great energy and enthusiasm.”
Schnall heads to South Carolina from Coastal Carolina. He has signed a 5-year deal with the Gamecocks worth $1.3 million annually through the 2031 season.
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Kevin Schnall has officially been hired as South Carolina’s next head baseball coach.
— Jack Veltri (@Jacktveltri) June 10, 2026
It’s a five-year deal worth $1.3 million per year running through the 2031 season.
“Today is a humbling and exciting day for my family and me,” Schnall said. “To leave the place that has been home for 25 years, it had to be the perfect opportunity at the perfect time. That is exactly what the University of South Carolina represents. This program embodies everything that is great about college baseball with a championship tradition, a passionate fan base, and a commitment to excellence. I am grateful for the trust placed in us and we promise to build a program founded on development, accountability and an unwavering pursuit of championships. We are excited to get to Columbia and begin this next chapter together.
“Our connection to the state of South Carolina is unmatched and that will be the foundation of our recruiting efforts. We will work tirelessly to build a roster that reflects the pride and talent that exist throughout this great state. Relationships matter, and we will invest in them every day. Lastly, I cannot thank Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati, Chief of Staff Tyson Lusk, and President Michael Amiridis enough for the opportunity to lead Gamecock baseball. Together, we will work relentlessly to build this program to the championship standard that Gamecock fans expect and deserve. The work begins immediately!”
Schnall played for the Chanticleers from 1998-99 and began his coaching career at his alma mater in 2001. He became Coastal Carolina’s head coach in 2025, a historic first season in which he guided the Chanticleers to a 56-win season and appearance in the College World Series finals.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
