The Secret Star Behind Mike Bianco’s 20 Seasons as Head Baseball Coach

By Callaghan Basil
Journalism Student
cbbasil@go.olemiss.edu

Twenty-seven years worth of marriage stand between Ole Miss Head Baseball Coach Mike Bianco and his wife, Camie. Through many championships, exciting wins and hard losses, the duo remains steadfast. 

Almost 20 of those years have been spent in Oxford raising all five of their children. Now ranging from ages 15 to 23-years-old, the Bianco children have had to adapt to an often common absence of their dad. Camie said she has learned to accept the time spent without her husband.

“Coaches wives jokingly say we’re like single moms because dads just come when they can come,” Camie said. “There are a lot of times where you’re by yourself, but it is what it is. You’ve got to watch your kids no matter what.”

Coach Bianco said the most unfortunate part of his near 20-year position has been missing out on the variety of his children’s games, but he tipped his hat to his wife calling her the “star of his family” and the center of his support system.

Mike and Camie Bianco meet in the Ole Miss Baseball office on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Swayze field. Photo by Callaghan Basil.

“She’s my boss,” Coach Bianco said. “She’s living the wins and losses right along with me. God bless her for that.” 

After 19 seasons worth of SEC baseball games, he said the best thing has been having someone by his side throughout the journey.

“She’s always been there, especially in the toughest times,” Coach Bianco said. “She’ll write a note or send a little prayer she’s read, just to let me know how much she cares.”

From playing under Bianco to being the longest-tenured assistant baseball coach in the SEC, Carl Lafferty said he has seen the couple throughout many stages of life together. Lafferty said the most impressive thing is the impact they’ve made on people around them. 

“Look at the way they’ve raised their kids. Look at what Mike has done for this program, building it up,” Lafferty said. “Look at what Camie has done in this community, helping and serving others. They don’t even realize the impact they’ve made.”

Camie Bianco has volunteered in Oxford with many different outlets, and Coach Bianco said people in Oxford probably know his wife more than they know him. The couple said giving back is something they’ve enjoyed and felt called to do. 

“Winning games and championships is great, but the real value is knowing that after you’re gone someday, you’ve impacted people,” Coach Bianco said.

As the clock ticks closer to 2020, many are gearing up for Ole Miss to host their season opener on Feb. 14 against Louisville. Bianco and his wife look ahead to their upcoming 20th season at Swayze. As they enter this new era together, they said they’re excited for a new season. But no matter how many years continue to pass, they will always strive toward something greater, they said.

“Twenty years is amazing on any scale, but our real mission in life is to leave everything better than we found it,” Camie said.