Mark Kingston’s seven year run as head baseball coach at South Carolina is over. John Whittle of TheBigSpur reported that USC Athletics Director Ray Tanner has made the decision to part ways with Kingston after the Gamecocks failed to advance beyond the Raleigh Regional with a loss to James Madison Sunday.
Associate Head Coach Monte Lee will serve as the interim head coach while Tanner conducts his search for Kingston’s replacement.
The Gamecocks finished this season with a 37-25 record including a 13-17 mark in the SEC. They advanced to a regional for a fourth time in Kingston’s six seasons (one season was lost to Covid). They reached a Super Regional in his first season and in 2023.
Kingston compiled an overall record of 217-155 with the Gamecocks. He was 83-96 in SEC games.
He has also served as head coach at Illinois State and South Florida and has a career coaching record of 490-335.
Kingston’s contract ran through May 31, 2027. He was being paid $725-thousand dollars per season. His buyout is $400,000. By waiting until after May 31st, the University saved $400,000 in the buyout.
Here’s the official release from USC:
Mark Kingston will not return as University of South Carolina baseball coach for the 2025 season, Gamecocks Athletics Director Ray Tanner announced today.
Kingston departs the Carolina baseball program after seven years (six full seasons) with a 217-155 overall record (58.3 percent) and an 83-96 SEC mark (46.4 percent). The Gamecocks went to post-season play four seasons, advancing to Super Regionals twice. The 2020 season was halted mid-year due to COVID-19.
Kingston became the 30th head coach in program history on June 30, 2017. He directed Carolina to six winning seasons, including three in SEC play. The Gamecocks finished third in the SEC East twice (2018, 2023), leading the team to NCAA Super Regionals in each of those years.
This past season, Carolina finished 37-25 overall, 13-17 in SEC play and concluded its season in the NCAA Raleigh Regional. The team was ranked as high as #7 RPI in the nation and finished the regular season with a #21 NCAA RPI Ranking.
South Carolina’s baseball program has been to 35 NCAA Regionals in the last 50 seasons, winning 19 regional titles and advancing to the College World Series 11 times, winning the 2010 and 2011 NCAA championship.
Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Monte Lee will serve as interim head coach.