Paul Mainieri
Encyclopedia
Paul Mainieri is the current head coach of the LSU
baseball team
. Prior to that position he was the head coach of the Notre Dame
baseball team from 1995–2006, the United States Air Force Academy
baseball team from 1989–1994 and the St. Thomas University
baseball team from 1983–1988. Mainieri coached LSU to the 2009 College World Series
championship.
where he played for two years and helped the team win two Sun Belt Conference
titles and earn an appearance in the 1979 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament
.
Mainieri completed his undergraduate degree requirement at Florida International University
in 1980, earning a B.S. in physical education
. He played two years of minor league baseball
and earned a M.S. in sports administration from St. Thomas University
in 1982.
in 1983. In six seasons, his team went 179–121–1, and Mainieri became the winningest coach in St. Thomas History.
in 1989, where he would also remain for six seasons. He became the second-winningest coach in Air Force history posting a mark of 152–158.
in 1995, Mainieri turned the Fighting Irish into a perennial postseason contender winning the Big East tournament an unprecedented 5 straight seasons, making the NCAA Tournament
9 out of 12 seasons, and leading the Irish to one College World Series appearance in 2002. In total, Mainieri posted a .714 winning percentage going 533–213–3 in twelve seasons.
' 2006 season. In the 2007 season, LSU finished 29–26–1 and did not reach the NCAA Tournament
.
40 games into the 2008 season, the Tigers were again struggling with a 23–16–1 record. However, the team then went on a Southeastern Conference
record 23-game win streak and moved on to claim the 2008 SEC Tournament Championship. Under Mainieri's leadership, the team swept the Baton Rouge Regional bracket of the NCAA baseball post-season and won their first Super-Regional in years. UC Irvine ended the streak in the first game of the Super Regional, defeating LSU 11–5, but LSU won the next two games and reached the 2008 College World Series
. It was LSU's first College World Series appearance since 2004 and they recorded their first win since their CWS championship
in 2000.
Mainieri's Tigers entered the 2009 season as the favorites to win the SEC, and were the preseason No. 1 team in some national polls. During the season, the Tigers won the SEC regular season title, the 2009 SEC Tournament Championship, and reached the 2009 College World Series
as the No. 3 national seed. Mainieri then led LSU to the CWS Finals against Texas
. The Tigers won the first game 7–6 in 11 innings, lost the second 5–1, but won the national championship defeating the Longhorns 11–4 in the final game. The Tigers finished the season with a 56–17 record. Mainieri received the 2009 Coach of the Year award from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
and the 2009 Coach of the Year award by Baseball America
. Rivals.com
also named Mainieri the 2009 National Coach of the Year.
The 2009 title was the sixth in LSU baseball history, tying Texas for the second most national championships in college baseball history, and Mainieri joined Skip Bertman as the only LSU baseball coaches to win a national championship.
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
baseball team
LSU Tigers baseball
The LSU baseball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with the other LSU athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the West division of the Southeastern Conference...
. Prior to that position he was the head coach of the Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
baseball team from 1995–2006, the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
baseball team from 1989–1994 and the St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University (Florida)
St. Thomas University is a private Roman Catholic university in the Miami, Florida, United States suburb of Miami Gardens.-History:The University traces its roots to the Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva, founded in 1946 in Havana, Cuba, named after Saint Thomas of Villanova, by...
baseball team from 1983–1988. Mainieri coached LSU to the 2009 College World Series
2009 College World Series
The 2009 College World Series began on June 13, and was held through June 24, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. As part of the 2009 collegiate baseball season, eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to crown a...
championship.
Playing career
Mainieri graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida. He started his college baseball playing career in 1976 at LSU. He played for one season, earning a letter, before transferring to Miami-Dade North Community College to play for his father, Demie Mainieri. After one year he transferred to the University of New OrleansUniversity of New Orleans
The University of New Orleans, often referred to locally as UNO, is a medium-sized public urban university located on the New Orleans Lakefront within New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is a member of the LSU System and the Urban 13 association. Currently UNO is without a proper chancellor...
where he played for two years and helped the team win two Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
titles and earn an appearance in the 1979 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament
1979 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament
The 1979 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held in 1979 at various locations across the country. 34 NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament...
.
Mainieri completed his undergraduate degree requirement at Florida International University
Florida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
in 1980, earning a B.S. in physical education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
. He played two years of minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
and earned a M.S. in sports administration from St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University (Florida)
St. Thomas University is a private Roman Catholic university in the Miami, Florida, United States suburb of Miami Gardens.-History:The University traces its roots to the Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva, founded in 1946 in Havana, Cuba, named after Saint Thomas of Villanova, by...
in 1982.
St. Thomas
Mainieri began his coaching career in Florida as the head coach of St. Thomas UniversitySt. Thomas University (Florida)
St. Thomas University is a private Roman Catholic university in the Miami, Florida, United States suburb of Miami Gardens.-History:The University traces its roots to the Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva, founded in 1946 in Havana, Cuba, named after Saint Thomas of Villanova, by...
in 1983. In six seasons, his team went 179–121–1, and Mainieri became the winningest coach in St. Thomas History.
Induction into the Hall of Fame
It was announced that Mainieri will be inducted into the St. Thomas Hall of Fame on November 1, 2009. Mainnieri becomes just the fourth person to be inducted into the St. Thomas Hall of Fame joining Ken Stibler, Marinka Bisceglia and John Batule.Air Force
He moved on to the United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
in 1989, where he would also remain for six seasons. He became the second-winningest coach in Air Force history posting a mark of 152–158.
Notre Dame
Moving to the Notre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame's nickname is inherited from Irish immigrant soldiers who fought in the Civil War with the Union's Irish Brigade, , recollected among other places in the poetry of Joyce Kilmer who served with one of the Irish Brigade regiments during World War I...
in 1995, Mainieri turned the Fighting Irish into a perennial postseason contender winning the Big East tournament an unprecedented 5 straight seasons, making the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
The NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament is held each year from May through June and features 64 college baseball teams in the United States, culminating in the College World Series....
9 out of 12 seasons, and leading the Irish to one College World Series appearance in 2002. In total, Mainieri posted a .714 winning percentage going 533–213–3 in twelve seasons.
LSU
Mainieri replaced Smoke Laval at the end of the LSU TigersLSU Tigers baseball
The LSU baseball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with the other LSU athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the West division of the Southeastern Conference...
' 2006 season. In the 2007 season, LSU finished 29–26–1 and did not reach the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
The NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament is held each year from May through June and features 64 college baseball teams in the United States, culminating in the College World Series....
.
40 games into the 2008 season, the Tigers were again struggling with a 23–16–1 record. However, the team then went on a Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
record 23-game win streak and moved on to claim the 2008 SEC Tournament Championship. Under Mainieri's leadership, the team swept the Baton Rouge Regional bracket of the NCAA baseball post-season and won their first Super-Regional in years. UC Irvine ended the streak in the first game of the Super Regional, defeating LSU 11–5, but LSU won the next two games and reached the 2008 College World Series
2008 College World Series
The 2008 College World Series was held June 14 through June 25, in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium...
. It was LSU's first College World Series appearance since 2004 and they recorded their first win since their CWS championship
2000 College World Series
The 2000 College World Series was held June 9 through June 17, 2000 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. LSU beat Stanford in the single-game final.It was the 54th College...
in 2000.
Mainieri's Tigers entered the 2009 season as the favorites to win the SEC, and were the preseason No. 1 team in some national polls. During the season, the Tigers won the SEC regular season title, the 2009 SEC Tournament Championship, and reached the 2009 College World Series
2009 College World Series
The 2009 College World Series began on June 13, and was held through June 24, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. As part of the 2009 collegiate baseball season, eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to crown a...
as the No. 3 national seed. Mainieri then led LSU to the CWS Finals against Texas
Texas Longhorns baseball
The Texas Longhorns baseball team represents The University of Texas at Austin and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I.The Texas Longhorns are the winningest program in college baseball history in terms of win percentage with .740 and ranks second all-time in total wins to the...
. The Tigers won the first game 7–6 in 11 innings, lost the second 5–1, but won the national championship defeating the Longhorns 11–4 in the final game. The Tigers finished the season with a 56–17 record. Mainieri received the 2009 Coach of the Year award from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper is a publication based in Arizona that considers itself the "voice of amateur baseball" It is most noted for handing out the following awards: Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year, Collegiate Baseball Coach of the Year, and Collegiate Baseball...
and the 2009 Coach of the Year award by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
. Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
also named Mainieri the 2009 National Coach of the Year.
The 2009 title was the sixth in LSU baseball history, tying Texas for the second most national championships in college baseball history, and Mainieri joined Skip Bertman as the only LSU baseball coaches to win a national championship.
Coaching tree
Paul Mainieri's influence extends throughout the game of baseball, as seven of his former assistant coaches and six of his former players presently work as coaches or administrators.Former assistant coaches
- Terry RooneyTerry Rooney (baseball)Terry Rooney is the head baseball coach at the University of Central Florida. Rooney was previously an assistant coach at LSU and Notre Dame under head coach Paul Mainieri....
, Head Coach, Central Florida - Brian O'ConnorBrian O'Connor (baseball coach)Brian O'Connor is the head coach of the University of Virginia baseball team. Previously serving as an Associate Head Coach at Notre Dame, he was hired on July 8, 2003 to replace the retiring Dennis Womack...
, Head Coach, Virginia - David GreweDavid GreweDavid Grewe is the former head baseball coach at Michigan State University and current assistant baseball coach at Louisiana State University, both of the United States.-Education and playing career:...
, Former Head Coach, Michigan State - Cory Mee, Head Coach, Toledo
- Dave Schrage, Head Coach, Notre Dame
- Eric Campbell, General Manager, Team USA
- Al Avila, Assistant General Manager, Detroit Tigers
Former players
- Javier Sanchez, Assistant Coach, LSU
- Eddie Smith, Assistant Coach, University of Virginia
- Marty Smith, Head Coach, Central Florida CC
- Rick Hitt, Head Coach, South Florida CC
- Elvis Dominguez, Head Coach, Bradley
- John Corbin, Assistant Coach, Bradley
- Mike Kazlausky, Assistant Coach, Air Force
- J.J. Brock, Assistant Coach, Georgetown
Head coaching record
NCAA tournament
| Year | School | Record | Winning % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 1996 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 1996 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held in 1996. Forty-eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament... |
Notre Dame | 1–2 | .333 | Eliminated by Virginia Virginia Cavaliers The Virginia Cavaliers, also known as Wahoos or Hoos, are the athletic teams officially representing the University of Virginia in college sports. The Cavaliers compete in 25 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference... in South I Regional |
| 1999 1999 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 1999 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 28 through June 19, 1999. 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament... |
Notre Dame | 1–2 | .333 | Eliminated by Michigan Michigan Wolverines The Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which... in South Bend Regional |
| 2000 2000 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 2000 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 26 through June 17, 2000. 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament. The tournament culminates with 8... |
Notre Dame | 3–2 | .600 | Eliminated by Mississippi St. Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball The Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball team represents Mississippi State University in NCAA Division I college baseball. The team participates in the West division of the Southeastern Conference. They are currently coached by head coach John Cohen. They play home games in Dudy Noble Field,... in Starkville Regional Finals |
| 2001 2001 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 2001 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 25th through June 16th, 2001. 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament. The tournament culminated with 8... |
Notre Dame | 3–2 | .600 | Eliminated by Florida International in South Bend Regional Finals |
| 2002 2002 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 2002 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 31 through June 22, 2002. 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament... |
Notre Dame | 5–3 | .625 | Won South Bend Regional & Tallahassee Super Regional College World Series (7th Place) 2002 College World Series The 2002 College World Series was held June 14 through June 22, 2002 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium... |
| 2003 2003 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 2003 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 30 through June 23, . 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament... |
Notre Dame | 2–2 | .500 | Eliminated by Cal St. Fullerton Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball The Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball team represents California State University, Fullerton in NCAA Division I college baseball. In 35 years of Division I play, the Titans have never had a losing season. They are supplied by DeMarini.... in Fullerton Regional Finals |
| 2004 2004 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 2004 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from June 4 through June 27, . 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament... |
Notre Dame | 2–2 | .500 | Eliminated by Arizona Arizona Wildcats -Athletic program:The University of Arizona participates in the NCAA's Division I-A in the Pacific-12 Conference Arizona participates in the conference's South Division, along with Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, USC, and Utah... in South Bend Regional Finals |
| 2005 2005 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 2005 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 30th through June 26th, . 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament... |
Notre Dame | 2–2 | .500 | Eliminated by Florida Florida Gators baseball The Florida Gators baseball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of baseball. The Florida Gators compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletics Association , and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference . They play their home games in Alfred A... in Gainesville Regional Finals |
| 2006 2006 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 2006 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from June 2nd through June 26th, . 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament... |
Notre Dame | 0–2 | .000 | Eliminated by Kentucky Kentucky Wildcats baseball The Kentucky Wildcats baseball team represents the University of Kentucky in NCAA Division I college baseball and competes in the Eastern division of the Southeastern Conference... in Lexington Regional |
| 2008 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 30 through June 25, 2008 and was part of the 2008 NCAA Division I baseball season. The 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams were selected out of an eligible 286 teams on May 26, 2008... |
LSU | 6–3 | .667 | Won Baton Rouge Regional & Super Regional College World Series (5th Place) 2008 College World Series The 2008 College World Series was held June 14 through June 25, in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium... |
| 2009 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament The 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 29 through June 24, 2009 and is part of the 2009 NCAA Division I baseball season. The 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams were selected out of an eligible 286 teams on May 25, 2009... |
LSU | 10–1 | .909 | Won Baton Rouge Regional & Super Regional College World Series Champions 2009 College World Series The 2009 College World Series began on June 13, and was held through June 24, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. As part of the 2009 collegiate baseball season, eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to crown a... |
| Totals | 35–23 | .603 | 11 Regionals (Won 3) 3 Super Regionals (Won 3) 3 College World Series (1 Championship) |
|