COLUMBIA — South Carolina baseball opened its transfer portal on June 1, 2026, and will close it on June 30, 2026. The program does not have a head coach as of that date, following the firing of interim coach Monte Lee, pitching coach Terry Rooney, and assistant coach John Hendry by athletic director Jeremiah Donati on May 21, 2026.
The staff dismissals concluded the 2026 season, in which the Gamecocks finished with a 22-35 overall record and a 7-23 mark in SEC play. Their season ended with an 11-6 loss to Tennessee in the first round of the SEC Tournament on May 19, 2026. The team also endured a 13-game losing streak during the year—the longest for the program since 1961.
Monte Lee had served as interim head coach since March 21, 2026, when the school announced Paul Mainieri would not complete his second season. Mainieri was hired in June 2024 to replace Mark Kingston. In his only full season, 2025, Mainieri led the team to a 28-29 overall record and a 6-24 conference record—the worst in program history. Kingston was fired after seven seasons. Mainieri was hired by former athletic director Ray Tanner, who retired in the fall of 2024.
Player departures have followed the coaching changes. Junior infielder Dawson Harman announced on social media on May 29, 2026, that he would enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining. Harman transferred to South Carolina from the College of Central Florida and batted .235 with 47 hits, 36 RBIs, and nine home runs during his time with the Gamecocks.
Right-handed pitcher Josh Gunther also declared his intent to re-enter the transfer portal, posting his announcement on social media on May 26, 2026. Gunther came to South Carolina from Wake Forest and, as a junior, posted a 5.88 ERA with a 3-10 record, striking out 129 batters while allowing 83 hits, 71 runs, and 15 home runs.