Darren Williams, Nick Mingione Reflect on Historic 2023 Season
BATON ROUGE, La. — With Kentucky falling 8-3 to LSU on Sunday night, the Wildcats' season ended after making a Super Regional for just the second time in program history.
The loss also spells the end of a seven-year career, as veteran right-hander Darren Williams ends his Kentucky tenure having made the history he set out to make when initially transferring to Lexington from Eastern Kentucky.
All the Maysville, Ky. native was after was bringing postseason baseball to Kentucky Proud Park. Head coach Nick Mingione gave his utmost respect to his elder statesman postgame:
"On his visit, his main question was 'coach, what is it gonna take to host a Regional here at Kentucky Proud Park?' It wasn't about scholarship money, it wasn't about NIL opportunities, it wasn't about none of that. His whole goal was what was it going to take to host a Regional at Kentucky. He's a great example of what a real man should be like and what it's like to be unselfish. I'm thankful for him and the group of men that I had the opportunity and privilege to coach."
Williams, teary-eyed, took time to reflect not only on UK's historic 2023 season, but the relationship he's built with his head coach. More on Williams' journey here.
"It means the world. Me and Coach, we've only known him for two years now," Williams said. "Hell, I've played against him. We've gotten so tight. One of the most influential men in my life, not just a good coach, a hell of a person. One of the best human beings I've ever met."
Williams missed the back half of last season after suffering an elbow injury that required season-ending surgery. Mingione, who immediately worked to get his player a seventh year of eligibility, has thrown props the way of Williams all season, acknowledging his devout leadership that helped UK reach the postseason the way it did.
"When I tore my elbow last year, he was just as emotional as a family member, man. So he means the world to me," Williams said. "I'm sure we'll stay close forever. And, man, we really wanted to win. He lets us control the locker room, like I said last week. He's not some crazy psycho coach that you've seen videos of before -- genuine, honest to you. I've enjoyed every minute for it. I've loved to play baseball for that man. I wish I could do it again. I've had a hell of a two years with him. I appreciate everything he's done for me."
Williams eventually reached what he set out to do, as UK hosted — then won the Lexington Regional, defeating Indiana to the tune of roars from the largest crowd in KPP history.
He and his teammates fell short of making the College World Series and Omaha, but he left the podium on Sunday night feeling zero regrets about his one-of-a-kind path that led him to Baton Rouge this weekend.
"The dream, man. The dream. A year ago I couldn't throw. Couldn't even throw a baseball a year ago. To be able to do what this team did, i'll never forget it," he said. "Nobody picked us, at all, at the beginning of the year. The togetherness, the grittiness, the unselfishness like Coach always talks about, it's so true. That team loves each other, man. Tight group, on and off the field. The dream season. What a Kentucky kid wants to do if he plays for Kentucky."
As for Mingione, he's forever etched in UK baseball history, having been the head coach for both of the Wildcats' trips to Super Regionals. He now joins Keith Madison and John Cohen as the only coaches in program history to win 40 or more games in two seasons.
LSU head coach Jay Johnson, a good friend of Mingione, gave his opposing skipper respect during his postgame press conference.
"He's a special coach. He's one of my best friends in the world. When the bracket came out, it was almost like, could it have been somebody else? Could it have aligned -- this is our third Super Regional that we've won. I've played against his team twice," Johnson said. "I just told him after the game that I love him. I think he did the best coaching job of anybody in the SEC this year. Hands down. No question about it."
A game recap can be found here.
How Division-III roots are pushing Jackson Gray to the finish line in a special season HERE.
Roommates, Kentuckians, Brothers: More on Darren Williams and Mason Moore HERE.
The King of Work: More on catcher Devin Burkes and his MVP honors HERE.
Game recap of Kentucky's Regional-clinching win can be found HERE.
How getting hit in batting practice helps Kentucky HERE.
How hard conversations molded RHP Austin Strickland HERE.
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