On June 13, 2016, Nick Mingione was named the head coach of Kentucky baseball, replacing coach Gary Henderson, who had amassed many accomplishments in his seven-year tenure in Lexington.
UK wanted a leader to take place after Henderson resigned and Mingione fit that bill. His experience under then Mississippi State head coach John Cohen seemed to be enough to qualify him for the position.
In his last year at Mississippi State, the club went 44-18-1 with an impressive 21-9 conference record.
His “Student. Person. Player.” model was also very attractive to the athletic department, as he wasn’t just worried about getting guys to “the show” but also teaching them how to be better in school and as a person.