In a significant development for South Carolina baseball, the university has announced the dismissal of head coach Mark Kingston after seven seasons at the helm. The decision was made public on June 3, 2024, following the Gamecocks’ elimination from the NCAA Tournament in the Raleigh Regional, where they suffered a 2-0 loss to James Madison
Kingston’s Tenure at South Carolina
Hired in 2017, Mark Kingston took over a program with a rich history, including national championships in 2010 and 2011. Under his leadership, the Gamecocks achieved a 217-155 overall record and an 83-96 mark in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play . While Kingston’s teams reached the NCAA Tournament four times, they advanced to the Super Regionals on two occasions, in 2018 and 2023, but fell short of returning to the College World Series.
Despite a strong 2023 season, where the Gamecocks finished with a 42-21 record and hosted an NCAA Regional, the subsequent season saw a decline. In 2024, South Carolina posted a 37-25 overall record and a 13-17 conference record, leading to their early exit from the postseason.
Contract Extension and Buyout
In August 2023, Kingston received a two-year contract extension through 2027, along with a raise to a $725,000 annual salary. However, the timing of his dismissal means the university will owe him a $400,000 buyout, a reduction from the $800,000 owed had the decision been made earlier in the year.
Interim Leadership and Future Prospects
Following Kingston’s departure, Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Monte Lee has been appointed as the interim head coach . Lee, a former head coach at Clemson, returned to South Carolina in 2022 and has been instrumental in the team’s recent successes.
Looking ahead, Kingston has been hired as the head coach at Creighton University, effective at the end of the 2025 season. He will succeed Ed Servais, who announced his retirement after the upcoming season.
Mark Kingston’s tenure at South Carolina was marked by both achievements and challenges. While he led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, the program’s inability to return to the College World Series ultimately led to his departure. As the university moves forward, the search for a new head coach will be critical in restoring South Carolina’s prominence in college baseball.
