In the world of college baseball there are a handful of programs that would qualify as iconic. LSU is one of those programs. Another program that has proven its worth over the years is the baseball program at the University of Texas at Austin. Longhorn baseball has produced some great players over the years. It would take such a program and an incredible offer from that program to bring a coach of the stature of LSU's Paul Mainieri to that program. 

All we can say is "Nice try Texas".  Coach Mainieri did listen to what the Longhorns had to say but according to Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran,

I think it would have taken an over the moon offer to get Paul Mainieri to leave LSU.

Mainieri issued a statement yesterday saying that he plans to not only stay at home at LSU but he hopes to stay a very long time. Mainieri just completed his first decade with the Tigers and you can't blame Texas for making the pitch to him.

The Longhorns are looking to replace college baseball legend Augie Garrido who just happens to be the winninngest coach in all of college baseball. He was relieved of his duties at Texas after the 'horns failed to make the NCAA Tournament this year.

I'm not sure he wanted to go rebuild in Texas, when he has a team that arguably might be the preseason number one next year here at LSU.

Moran's comments were published in a story by the Louisiana Radio Network. He went on to say that Mainieri's contract with LSU calls for a base salary of $750,000 annually. After this visit with Texas Moran wouldn't be surprised to see that number jump into the seven figure range.

I don't think you can do much better on a year-to-year basis than what Paul Mainieri has done, so I wouldn't be surprised if he cracked that million dollar mark.

LSU baseball fans, despite not making the trip to Omaha this year, have a lot to look forward to. The team will return eight starting position players next season and now it looks like their coach is going to be here to stay for a while.

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