June 29, 2006

The following are Notre Dame athletics director Kevin White’s comments following Paul Mainieri’s decision Wednesday afternoon to accept the head baseball coaching position at LSU:

“For the past 12 years, Paul has served as a very good ambassador for college athletics generally, the University of Notre Dame, the athletics department and particularly for the Irish baseball program. Paul is unquestionably a very gifted and talented coach and I am sure he will enjoy great success at LSU.

“Our immediate objective is to turn our full attention to finding the very best baseball coach available. To that end, most importantly, is the need to identify the right leader who will facilitate the aspirations of our outstanding student-athletes.”