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Jay Johnson shares his reaction to Kevin Schnall ejection, early controversy in Game 2 vs. Coastal Carolina

On3 imageby: Dan Morrison06/23/25dan_morrison96
Jay Johnson, LSU
Jun 21, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Jay Johnson (2) watches action against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Emotions were running high from the first pitch of Game 2 of the College World Series. With Coastal Carolina fighting to try and force a third game, head coach Kevin Schnall was ejected in the first inning for arguing balls and strikes.

LSU would go on to win the game without Schnall there to coach the Chanticleers. With that, they won the College World Series, and head coach Jay Johnson took home a second national championship in three seasons. Of course, as concerns about the ejection became a major storyline, Johnson was asked to address it following the game.

“That’s my friend too,” Jay Johnson said. “Somebody I have great respect for. I didn’t have any reaction because I was so locked into what we needed to do in the game.”

Both head coach Kevin Schnall and first-base coach Matt Schilling would ultimately be ejected for arguing balls and strikes. The incident appeared to occur when Schilling left his position to say something. That was when Schnall said something from the dugout. Got a very quick warning, then said something else and was tossed.

“I was ejected for arguing balls and strikes this year,” Johnson said. “And they don’t like that when you argue balls and strikes. I’m not sure really what happened. I saw the first base coach arguing. Then he came out and I don’t know what was said. I don’t want to get into any of that. It’s a tough situation. But I literally moved past it immediately because I needed to be locked in on what our players needed from our coaching staff.”

Had Coastal Carolina managed to win the game, Kevin Schnall would have been suspended for the third game of the series. As it stands now, he’s facing a two-game suspension to start the 2026 season.

The NCAA would, while the game was still in progress, release a statement on the ejection. In it, they explained that the ruling comes down to him being warned for arguing balls and strikes immediately before the ejection and then continuing to argue with umpires for an extended period of time following the ejection.

“NCAA Playing Rule 3-6-f-Note 1 states that balls, strikes, half swings or decisions about hit-by-pitch situations are not to be argued,” the NCAA statement read. “After a warning, any player or coach who continued to argue balls, strikes, half swings, or a hit-by-pitch situation shall be ejected from the game. In addition to today’s ejections, Coach Schnall is suspended for the next two games per NCAA Playing Rule 5-15-a-4, which states that an additional two-game suspension is added to any other penalties. NCAA Playing Rule 2-26-f states that an assistant coach, if ejected, is automatically suspended for one game. Per NCAA Playing Rule 5-15-a-4, an additional two-game suspension is added to any other penalties. By rule, Coach Schilling is suspended for three games.”

Coastal Carolina will have to cross the bridge of the suspension when they get to it next season. For now, Schnall and the Chanticleers will go back to the drawing board, looking for a way back to Omaha next season. Jay Johnson and LSU, meanwhile, are going to take some time to enjoy their national championship season.