Clemson head coach Erik Bakich and first-year Coastal Carolina head coach Chris Lemonis collided in an exhibition matchup in Myrtle Beach on October 9.
Lemonis is back in a head coaching role after taking the 2026 college baseball season off. Bakich is entering his fifth season as the head coach of the Clemson Tigers.
The two head coaches from the Palmetto State have a relationship that predates their matchup in Myrtle Beach.
“He is an incredibly hard worker who I have a lot of respect for,” Bakich said, referring to Lemonis. “To see him win a national championship in 2021 was so cool. He is one of the good ones.”
Recruiting battles at previous schools, 2019 College World Series
Bakich and Lemonis collided as recruiting coordinators at previous schools. From 2007 to 2014, Lemonis recruited players for the Louisville Cardinals while he worked under head coach Dan McDonnell. He played a role in three College World Series appearances for the Cardinals in 2007, 2013, and 2014.
Bakich was also in the recruiting coordinator business while he worked under head coach Tim Corbin at Vanderbilt from 2003 to 2009. This led to him crossing paths with Lemonis for the same high school athletes.
“We have had a million battles going after the same kids in the Midwest,” Bakich said. “I remember when I went after this left-handed pitcher when he was playing a football game. The only other baseball coach there was Lemonis. They [Louisville] ended up getting him.”
After their stints as recruiting coordinators, Bakich and Lemonis were both head coaches in the 2019 College World Series. At the time, Bakich was the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, and Lemonis was in his first season at the helm at Mississippi State.
Lemonis led Mississippi State to one win in that College World Series against the Auburn Tigers. Meanwhile, Bakich led the Wolverines to four wins in Omaha in 2019. Michigan beat Florida State and Texas Tech twice to reach the College World Series final against Vanderbilt.
The Wolverines were able to beat the Commodores in game one of the final. However, Vanderbilt went on to win the next two games to win the 2019 national championship.
Upcoming Coastal Carolina and Clemson matchups
The Myrtle Beach exhibition game will not be the only time Bakich and Lemonis collide during the 2027 college baseball season.
Clemson and Coastal Carolina will meet in two midweek matchups. On April 14, the Chanticleers will travel to Doug Kingsmore Stadium to play the Tigers in Clemson. On May 5, the Tigers will travel to Conway to play Coastal Carolina at Springs-Brooks Stadium.
For more NCAA news: https://worldbaseball.com/news/category/ncaa