Report: South Carolina Eyes WVU's Steve Sabins

West Virginia University baseball head coach Steve Sabins has emerged as a leading candidate for the head coaching position at the University of South Carolina, according to a report by D1Baseball [4]. This potential move to the SEC comes shortly after Sabins was caught on a hot microphone making a critical remark about the SEC Network during a televised game [3].

Key takeaways

• South Carolina has identified Sabins and Coastal Carolina's Kevin Schnall as the top two candidates for its head coaching vacancy [4].
• Sabins was heard on a live broadcast saying, "SEC Network, so they can f*ck off" just before an in-game interview [3].
• The WVU coach became the fastest in program history to reach 50 wins and led the team to a Super Regional appearance in his first season [2].
• South Carolina is seeking a replacement for Paul Mainieri, who was let go following a historically poor season [4].

Search for a New Gamecocks Leader

South Carolina is looking for a new leader after dismissing Paul Mainieri, who came out of retirement for the role but was fired after a struggling season [4]. Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball reported on May 29 that the search has narrowed to two primary contenders: Coastal Carolina head coach Kevin Schnall and West Virginia's Steve Sabins [4]. While Schnall has publicly addressed the rumors, stating he has not spoken directly with the school, Sabins is reportedly under consideration as his Mountaineers team prepares to host an NCAA regional with a 39-14 record [4].

The Gamecocks' athletic director also reportedly showed interest in Georgia Tech coach James Ramsey, though he signed a contract extension, leaving Schnall and Sabins as the likely finalists barring a surprise [4].

A Viral Moment and Mountaineer Success

The potential interest from an SEC school creates a juxtaposition with a recent on-air incident involving Sabins. During a June 1 broadcast on ESPN2, as the Mountaineers rallied against Kentucky, microphones picked up Sabins saying, "SEC Network, so they can f*ck off" just before a scheduled in-game interview [3]. The broadcast proceeded without acknowledging the comment, leaving the specific target of his frustration unclear [3].

Despite the off-air drama, Sabins' tenure at West Virginia has been marked by significant achievements. He became the fastest head coach in program history to reach 50 wins, achieving the milestone during a victory over Ohio [2]. Taking over for longtime coach Randy Mazey in 2024, Sabins led the team to a 44-16 record and a Super Regional appearance in his first season [2]. He has also been credited with securing high-level recruiting classes and developing top talent, such as first-round MLB draft pick J.J. Wetherholt [2].

Why it matters

The hiring of a new head coach is a pivotal moment for South Carolina baseball as it attempts to recover from a disappointing season under Mainieri [4]. For West Virginia, retaining Sabins is crucial to maintaining the momentum of a program that has reached consecutive Super Regionals and set a program record