Nick Mingione – who was named Kentucky’s head coach on June 13, 2016 – has already made his mark after just eight seasons in Lexington, becoming a respected piece of the UK Baseball program and local community, while guiding the Wildcats to their only Super Regional and first-ever College World Series appearance in school history.

In his rookie season as a head coach, Mingione proved a quick study as the 2017 Wildcats etched their name all over the school’s record books. The program made a trip to the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals for the first time and finished ranked in the Top 10 of every major college baseball poll. In year seven, Mingione repeated the feat by returning to the Super Regional and climbing into the Top 10 during the season.

UK has hosted a regional four times in history, all of which Mingione was on staff for, including twice as head coach.