Coastal Carolina University has appointed Chris Lemonis as its new head baseball coach, succeeding Kevin Schnall, who departed to lead the South Carolina Gamecocks program.
A Legacy of Success
Lemonis, a native of Myrtle Beach and a graduate of Socastee High School, arrives with a résumé that includes 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, five trips to the College World Series and a 2021 national championship as the architect of Mississippi State’s title run.
His career record stands at 373‑226‑2 over 11 seasons at Indiana and Mississippi State, a testament to his ability to build winning cultures and develop elite talent.
During his seven years at Mississippi State, Lemonis guided the Bulldogs to the 2021 NCAA National Championship, captured the 2019 SEC regular‑season crown and secured the 2021 SEC Tournament title, while also steering the team to multiple College World Series and Super Regional appearances.
Prior to that, he spent four seasons at Indiana, where he posted a 141‑91‑2 record, led the Hoosiers to three NCAA Tournament berths and earned a 40‑win season in 2018, a first for the program in that span.
His earlier stops at Louisville, where he helped the Cardinals reach three College World Series and earned ABCA/Baseball America Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2013, and a 12‑year ascent at The Citadel, where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, further illustrate his breadth of experience.
Lemonis has also mentored more than 110 players who earned MLB Draft selections, 22 who reached the major leagues, and dozens of All‑Americans, underscoring his impact on player development.
The university community and baseball fans alike anticipate that his proven track record of excellence will translate into a new era of competitiveness for the Chanticleers, who will look to leverage his expertise as they prepare for the upcoming season.