Paul Mainieri has been fired as South Carolina's baseball coach midway through his second season after failing to replicate his previous success. The 68-year-old coach, who won a College World Series with LSU in 2009, had been lured out of retirement to lead the Gamecocks but posted a 40-40 record in his 1½ seasons.

Mainieri's teams struggled with a 28-29 record in his debut season and currently stand at 12-11 this year. The Gamecocks have lost six straight games, including a 22-6 blowout to Arkansas that dropped them to 0-4 in Southeastern Conference play. Athletic director Jeremiah Donati and Mainieri agreed that new leadership would better serve the program.

Mainieri, who has a 1,545-817-8 record in his 39-year career, expressed disappointment in his performance. He had hoped to restore South Carolina to national prominence and return to Omaha for the College World Series. Donati praised Mainieri as a Hall of Fame coach and world-class individual, wishing him and his family the best as the program moves forward with a new direction.