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As the College World Series officially starts in Omaha, Nebraska, Coastal Carolina heads into the eight-team, double-elimination tournament as one of the great storylines in college baseball this season.
Making just its second trip to Omaha, the Chanticleers are riding a historic 23-game winning streak into their first game at Charles Schwab Field, which is the longest winning streak entering the CWS in over two decades.
It’s part of the winning culture that first-year coach Kevin Schnall has been able to keep intact after taking over for his former coach and mentor, Gary Gilmore.
In his first season, Schnall has led the Chanticleers to new heights while returning the program to national relevance after several “down years” for one of the better mid-major baseball programs in the country.
Though he has coached in Omaha before, Schnall is set to make his CWS managerial debut on June 13 at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local) when No. 13 Coastal Carolina takes on Arizona.
Here’s what you need to know about Schnall ahead of the CWS:
Who is Kevin Schnall?
Kevin Schnall is in his first season as the skipper of the Coastal Carolina baseball program, though he has ties with the Chanticleers’ program dating back to 1995.
A longtime assistant coach at Coastal Carolina, Schnall had been cited by a number of outlets in the past decade as one of the top college baseball assistant coaches in the nation. He was officially named the successor to Gilmore, who had a legendary 29-year coaching career with the Chanticleers, after the 2024 season.
“Being given the privilege to coach at my alma mater and now lead this program is one of the greatest honors of my life,” Schnall said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful to Matt Hogue, Dr. Benson, and our Board of Trustees for entrusting me with the leadership of our storied baseball program. If it weren’t for the opportunity Gary Gilmore gave me 24 years ago, this wouldn’t be possible. His leadership and guidance have brought us to where we are today, and I am forever indebted to him. Coastal Carolina is a special place, and my family and I couldn’t be more excited!”
Following a brief two-year minor league career in the Cincinnati Reds organization, Schnall got his start in coaching at Coastal Carolina in 2001. He’d spend 12 seasons at his alma mater before taking a position at Central Florida, which he held from 2013-16. Schnall returned to Coastal Carolina in 2016, the same season that the Chanticleers advanced to and won the CWS for the first time in program history.
Since then, Schnall spent nine seasons as Gilmore’s associate head coach before taking over full-time after the 2024 season. In his first season, Schnall has led the Chanticleers to one of their best seasons in program history. At 53-11 overall on the season, Coastal Carolina reached the 50-win mark for the third time since 2010.
“This is no Cinderella,” Schnall said after Coastal Carolina’s super regional win. “Coastal Carolina the past century, only eight teams have made the regionals more than us. During that same period we have the sixth-best win percentage and the ninth-most wins.
“This is not a Cinderella story. We’re one of the most premier, most successful college baseball programs in the entire country.”
Kevin Schnall playing career, stats
The now 48-year-old coach was a standout player for the Chanticleers from 1995-99 during his playing days in college.
A starting catcher for Coastal Carolina, Schnall was named the Big South Conference Player of the Year for his senior season in 1999. That season, Schnall set the program single-season record for on-base percentage (.515), while becoming just the second Coastal Carolina player in Big South history to hit over .400 on the season.
He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 25th round of the 1999 MLB Draft.
Kevin Schnall coaching history, record
Prior to being named Gilmore’s successor last June, Schnall spent two separate stints on Gilmore’s staff in Conway, South Carolina. He also had a brief three-year stint at Central Florida from 2013-15.
In his first season as a full-time coach, Schnall has led his alma mater to its third Sun Belt baseball tournament title, fourth regional title, second super regional title and second trip to the CWS in program history.
“I got into this profession because of my father’s influence,” Schnall said after Coastal Carolina advanced to the CWS on June 7, according to The Trentonian. “He passed away before I became a head coach. It just felt like he was looking down today and this weekend, the last two weeks. I know he’s proud.”
Here’s a look at how the Chanticleers have fared under Schnall:
- 2025: 53-11 overall, 26-4 in Sun Belt play
Kevin Schnall son
The Chanticleers’ appearance in Omaha is a historic one, as it is just the second time in program history that Coastal Carolina is one of the final eight teams in the postseason. But it is also an emotional, bittersweet one for Schnall and his family.
Following Coastal Carolina’s super regional victory on June 7, Schnall told reporters down in Auburn, Alabama, that the last time Coastal Carolina made it to Omaha in 2016 his family didn’t come because his son Jayden had a stroke the previous fall.
“Not to get emotional, but I guess it was nine years ago we went to Omaha and in the fall, our son had a stroke. He ended up having five more strokes. When we went to Omaha, he was in the third grade, he was young and he had a rough year. We decided as a family that our kids were going to stay back,” Schnall said.
“He’s doing great now. He’s flourishing and a freshman in high school. We’ve been talking for years if we ever go back, he’s coming (and) they’re coming. And these guys have awarded him that opportunity.”
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