Kingston finished off the 2021 season with one of the worst records in South Carolina baseball history. In fact, he is now one of only four coaches in South Carolina baseball history to finish with a losing record.
Despite Kingston’s sorry finish to the season, he has been making positive moves throughout the offseason. Since the season’s conclusion, he has brought in several key players from Clemson (Jonathan French, Ricky Williams, and Dylan Brewer) following Monte Lee’s fire. Then on Thursday, Kingston hired Lee himself, as an associate head coach.
Obviously Lee is a massive hire in several ways for the Gamecocks. The former Clemson head coach saw success at College of Charleston and even as an assistant under Ray Tanner, from 2003-2008 (Carolina made the CWS twice in his time). Needless to say, he easily could have found another head coaching job elsewhere.
Aside from being a part of a winning culture at South Carolina in the past, Lee could also assist in one of Carolina’s biggest issues of last season. Scoring runs.
During Lee’s tenure at Clemson, he produced some fantastic talent behind the plate. Even during his final season, the Tigers still outscored the Gamecocks on average by about two runs a game. Certainly, Lee will be of assistance in fixing Carolina’s batting struggles that have been apparent over the years.
Although Kingston has a lot to prove this season, so far, I really like the actions he has made early in the offseason. He of course has a lot to improve on if the Gamecocks are going to wind up in the CWS, BUT, moves like this could end up being what gets you there.