Monte Lee on USC-Clemson: ‘It’s the best rivalry in the country’

Monte Lee is preparing for his first series against South Carolina as the head coach at Clemson, but he doesn’t need any history lesson on one of college baseball’s best rivalries. He has lived it.

Lee was an assistant coach for the Gamecocks from 2003-08 before leaving to become the head coach at the College of Charleston. The Lugoff native knows what the South Carolina-Clemson series means to the teams, universities and fan bases.

“It’s a huge weekend just from the standpoint that it’s very important to the state of South Carolina,” Lee told The State this week. “I just remember how great the crowds were and how electric the crowds were on game day. You had two programs that were obviously trying to kick each other’s butts on the field, but we had a lot of respect for each other… I really, really enjoyed the rivalry simply because you’re a part of something that’s great.”

But Lee wants to keep the three-game series in perspective.

He believes the Tigers can become regulars in Omaha, but he also is aware that building a program is a process. Still, a series win over USC in his first year as the head coach of the Tigers would be a major stepping stone.

“In baseball, they’re all important,” Lee said. “The 56-game schedule is a resume. You’re trying to build a resume to get into the field of 64 at the end of the year. Then you have a chance to play in Omaha. For recruiting and recognition, it’s a big weekend because it’s the best rivalry in the country.”

Recruiting is a major focus for Lee as he attempts to build Clemson back to the program that reached a Super Regional five out of six years from 2005-2010, with two appearances in the College World Series.

One selling point for Lee as he tries to attract top prospects is the rivalry with the Gamecocks.

“I think any kid would be interested in a program that plays in the biggest rivalry in the country. That’s one of the things we sell to our kids is you’re going to get to play college baseball at a high level and at unbelievable facilities, and we’re part of the greatest rivalry in all of college baseball,” Lee said. “It’s something that’s special to a young man. Those are memories that he’ll always have, being able to play in a rivalry like this.”

Clemson dropped its first game of Lee’s tenure, falling 4-3 to Maine, but the Tigers have bounced back to win six straight games.

Clemson’s victories are by an average of nearly nine runs. The Tigers have held opponents to two runs or less in the past five games.

“Our guys have done a really good job of buying in and playing together,” Lee said. “I’ve inherited a great group of kids that work hard and are very coachable.”

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 6:16 PM with the headline "Monte Lee on USC-Clemson: ‘It’s the best rivalry in the country’."