On Thursday, May 21, N.C. State Wolfpack head coach Elliott Avent announced his retirement. Avent has been the head coach of the Wolfpack since the 1997 season. His retirement announcement comes two days after the Wolfpack lost to Duke in the 2026 ACC Tournament in Charlotte.
Avent talked about his decision to retire in a press release from N.C. State Athletics.
“Not many people get the chance to do what they love at a place that means so much to them,” said Avent. “I’ve been lucky enough to have that opportunity, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I want to thank all the coaches and staff who committed so much to make this journey so rewarding and successful. To our many loyal fans, I would like to say what an honor and privilege it has been to stand in that first base dugout at Doak Field and listen to you cheer our players. They played their hearts out for you and NC State.”
Avent and his historic career at N.C. State
Avent won a total of 1,101 games at N.C. State and 1,326 total games in his collegiate coaching career. Before he was at N.C. State, he won 225 games as the head coach of the New Mexico State Aggies from 1989 to 1996.
He leaves N.C. State as the winningest coach in the program’s history.
Avent led the Wolfpack to the College World Series in 2013, 2021, and 2024. He also led N.C. State to the NCAA Tournament 22 times.
In 2003, Avent was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year and the National Coach of the Year. That season, the Wolfpack had a 45-18 record and a 15-9 conference record. N.C. State made a super regional that season.
Early Candidates to fill in the N.C. State head coaching job
The Wolfpack will enter the offseason in need of a coach with big shoes to fill. World Baseball Network takes a look at a couple of early candidates to fill the position.
Skyler Meade, head coach, Troy Trojans
Skyler Meade has made himself comfortable as head coach of the Tory Trojans. Despite hanging around .500 during the 2026 college baseball season, Troy has won 37 games or more in 2023, 2024, and 2025 under Meade’s direction.
Meade’s best season with Troy came in 2023. The Trojans finished with a 40-22 overall record and were 18-12 in Sun Belt play.
If N.C. State wants a coach with a heavy pitching background, Meade also fits the bill. From 2009 to 2021, Meade spent time as a pitching coach for Eastern Illinois, Middle Tennessee, Michigan State, and South Carolina.
Chris Hart, associate head coach, N.C. State
After losing a 30-year head coach like Avent, it would make sense that N.C. State wants a head coach who comes from within the program. Chris Hart, N.C. State’s associate head coach, would be a great fit if this is the case.
Hart plays a major factor in making N.C. State runs as a baseball program. He plays a role in the team’s hitting and recruiting as well.
A seamless transition for the Wolfpack would be to pass the baton to Hart, who has played a major role in the Wolfpack’s success on the diamond.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: North Carolina State head coach Elliott Avent, right, meets with umpires before playing against Stanford in the opening baseball game of the College World Series Saturday, June 19, 2021, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
