Hours after it was announced that South Carolina would be moving on from head coach Mark Kingston, several Gamecock commits took to social media on Monday to express who they want to see hired as the next head coach of the Gamecocks.
That coach being current South Carolina interim head coach Monte Lee.
“Give us Coach Monte Lee,” tweeted Brady Jones, a right-handed pitcher from the class of 2024. “(A) South Carolina man through and through. Let’s get South Carolina baseball back to the top!”
[GamecockCentral for $1: In-depth coverage and a great community]
PJ Morlando, who was named the 2024 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year on Monday, also took to social media to show his support for Lee.
“We want Monte Lee,” tweeted Morlando, who is considered the 57th overall prospect in this year’s MLB Draft. “I want to thank coach Kingston for the opportunity to play at USC, and I wish you the best. Coach Lee was a huge factor in my decision in signing with South Carolina. I can think of no one better to be the next head coach of the Gamecocks!!”
While Morlando has some decisions to make in the coming weeks, the multiple post by the Summerville, SC outfielder supporting Lee shouldn’t be overlooked.
[On3 App: Get South Carolina push notifications from GamecockCentral]
Infielder commit Tyler June also voiced his endorsement for Lee posting, “We want coach Monte Lee.” While fellow 2024 commit Cole Greer, a right-handed pitcher, Cole Greer shared a similar sentiment posting, “Give us Monte.”
But it’s not only South Carolina commits who have took to social media to express their desire to see Lee named head coach of the Gamecocks. “Coach Monte Lee has my vote for next Head Coach of Gamecock Baseball,” posted Dalton Reeves, who transferred in to play 35 games for South Carolina this season. “Few people care more about this program and its success than him
Prior to arriving for his second stint as an assistant coach with South Carolina in 2023, Lee spent seven seasons as Clemson’s head coach from 2016-2022. Before that, he served as head coach for the College of Charleston from 2009-15.
[Subscribe (for free) to the Gamecock Central YouTube page]
In 14 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Lee has posted a record of 518-281 (.648%). Not including the shorten 2020 COVID-19 season, Lee has reached the NCAA Tournament eight times in 13 seasons as a head coach, including a Super Regional appearance with the Cougars in 2014.
Lee spent six seasons as an assistant coach for the Gamecocks under now current South Carolina Director of Athletics Ray Tanner from 2003-08. During that span, USC reached the NCAA Tournament all six years, played in four Super Regionals, and reached the College World Series twice.
Discuss South Carolina baseball on The Insiders Forum!
The post South Carolina baseball commits make it known who they want as Gamecocks next head coach appeared first on On3.