
Another big Louisiana sports figure is retiring. Saints quarterback Drew Brees left after last season, now LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri is doing the same.
“As much as Paul Mainieri loves baseball, he loves his family and wants to get more involved with his family,” said WWL’s Bobby Hebert after hearing LSU baseball’s press conference. “You have only so many days on this earth and you start to get older, and so you reflect on life. He just wants to spend more time with his family and to me, that makes sense.”
The 63-year-old has spent a total of 39 years coaching college baseball, 15 at LSU leading them to a record of 637 wins, 282 losses and 3 ties.
In Mainieri’s tenure the team won a national championship in 2009, eight NCAA Regional championships, five NCAA Super Regional championships, four SEC championships and six SEC Tournament titles.
“The one thing I always looked at was stability. You were never really worried about LSU's program. You knew they were going to be in the thick of things. And, just his consistency, his stability and being a role model for his players, I think that speaks volumes. He talks about his father and what he meant in his life and all the mentors he's had; well, that's what it's all about. The bottom line is Paul Mainieri is a great dude. You know how some coaches are jerks? Paul is just as a genuine good guy.”
Hopefully that good guy gets one last chance at a shot to make it to Omaha for the College World Series. The NCAA selection committee will announce the 64-team field Monday.
To hear all of the Cajun Cannon’s thoughts on Paul Mainieri listen below: