A New Era for Coastal Carolina Baseball
Coastal Carolina University announced this week that Chris Lemonis will assume the role of head baseball coach, bringing a proven track record of excellence to the Chanticleers program.
A native of Myrtle Beach, Lemonis returns to the Palmetto State after successful tenures at Indiana, The Citadel and Louisville, where he compiled more than 350 career victories and guided his teams to multiple NCAA tournament appearances.
His most recent achievement came at Mississippi State, where he led the Bulldogs to a national championship in 2021 and finished with a 232–135 record that included two trips to the College World Series in Omaha.
Beyond the win column, Lemonis has developed 111 players who earned MLB draft selections and 38 All‑Americans, earning him two distinctions as National Coach of the Year and a reputation as a talent incubator.
Athletic director Chance Miller praised the hire, emphasizing Lemonis’ deep community roots and his ability to sustain the program’s upward trajectory.
He will succeed Kevin Schnall, whose two‑year stint produced a runner‑up finish in 2025 and a 37‑win season in 2026, but whose departure opened the door for Lemonis’ return to South Carolina.
Miller highlighted that Lemonis’ familiarity with the region, combined with his championship pedigree, makes him the ideal fit to lead the Chanticleers into the next chapter.
The university community looks forward to seeing how Lemonis will blend his championship experience with local passion to elevate the program’s national standing.