Happy UK players gave coach Nick Mingione a Gatorade bath after Sunday night's win. (Vicky Graff Photo)
What makes Nick Mingione the coach he is?
The Kentucky coach has the Wildcats going to the College World Series for the first time and tearfully thanked UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart after the 3-2 win over Oregon State Sunday night for taking a chance on him when he hired him.
Former Kentucky coach Keith Madison has had a “close relationship” with Mingione and appreciates the season UK has put together under Mingione.
“He is perhaps the most positive, upbeat individual I have ever been around,” Madison said. “He is always high energy, always positive. He is always thinking. His mind is working 100 miles per hour all the time.”
The two do talk baseball but their relationship has grown so strong through Bible study. Madison called Mingione after he got the job and invited him to his house for dinner knowing his wife and son were still in Starkville, Miss., waiting to move to Lexington.
“We spent three hours talking about the program,” Madison said. “Finally I said, ‘Nick what can I do for you?’”
Mingione asked Madison if would consider leading a Bible study and Madison said he would be “honored” to do that. Mingione offered to let Madison lead the voluntary Bible study in the baseball office to make it easier for his assistant coaches to attend if they wanted.
“It was not mandatory but this year the whole staff came on a regular basis,” Madison said. “Over the years, Nick has not missed more than five or six times. It’s a tremendous opportunity to get to know each other and we do talk baseball after Bible study.”
Madison once told Mingione during Bible study that it would not guarantee wins but would guarantee success for the program if the UK coach did one thing
“I told him to pray for your players every day and pray for their parents and pray for the other coaches on your staff,” Madison said. “He has done that and that helps us see other people in a different way and leads to success in the program.”
5 Responses
Today is the day that the Lord has made. Let us Rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
started 3 years ago when Coach MINGIONE came to me and said: “I need a favor”. I said, “Coach I would do anything for you what is the favor?” He said, “ Coach Madison came to me and said for me to find 7 guys to pray for me, my family, this baseball team, Coaches and staff”. I said, Coach you got it. Well not only did I faithfully pray everyday after 6 months I got my church at Gardenside Baptist to start praying. For 3 years I have been praying for you all EVERYDAY and for 2 1/2 years Gardenside Baptist Church has been praying for you all. As a result of those prayers, UK is hosting SUPER REGIONALS. I ask that you NOT play for yourself, your family, your friends, your Coaches,your teammates or your fans BUT YOU PLAY FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE: JESUS CHRIST
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
—Genesis 6:8
I want to say too that UK has found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
I enjoyed your input, Chris. As a life long Christian, I love to hear how God works through others. Love your fellow man.
Marvelous to have those verses shared from your heart!
So fulfilling to have a manager who has the Lord Jesus 1st in his life because all else will fall into place.
“Whatever you do, work from the soul as to the Lord and not to men” Col 3:23
Both of you refresh my spirit!
Win, lose or draw in the CES – this UK coach, staff & players are WINNERS
Outstanding!