Holbrook, Lee meet in unique college baseball matchup

COLUMBIA — The former South Carolina coach now coaching at College of Charleston coached against the former College of Charleston coach now coaching at South Carolina.

Say that five times real fast.

The Cougars beat the Gamecocks 6-4 at Founders Park on April 7 and each skipper — the Cougars’ Chad Holbrook and the Gamecocks’ Monte Lee — reflected on it. Each is used to the scenario — get into coaching, you’re always going to run into somebody or some opponent where you have a connection — but each also recognized the unique aspect of this one.

There’s Holbrook, USC head coach from 2013-17 before resigning and being hired at Charleston, two years after Lee departed the Cougars to take over at Clemson. There’s Lee, one of the College’s greatest, who played for and coached the Cougars after an assistant-ship at USC, rehired at USC after Clemson moved on from him and now in the head chair following the midseason departure of Paul Mainieri.

Each expressed their admiration for each other and stressed their close friendship, and each talked about how their seasons are going. Frankly, it’s a tough year for each program.

“I love the University of South Carolina. It’s afforded me opportunities that a coach can only dream of, and so grateful to bring another team in here and come out on top,” Holbrook said. “You know, it’s not just another win.”

“It’s always a little bit different playing CofC because of how much the place means to me,” said Lee. “But as far as Chad and I, we’re just in it for the kids, we want to see the kids go out there and compete and do well.”

Lee has coached against Holbrook since Holbrook was an assistant at North Carolina. Lee coached Will Dorton and Lee Curtis, two of Holbrook’s assistants, when they were in college.

“Chad and I have been friends for many, many years. When I left to go to the College of Charleston is when Chad came to South Carolina, and Chad was incredibly instrumental in them winning multiple national championships,” Lee said. “Chad and I are very dear friends, and I think the world of him.”