NC State baseball names new coach a day after Elliott Avent announces retirement
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Hart was promoted after Avent announced his retirement.
- The Board of Trustees University Affairs Committee approved Hart’s contract Friday.
- Hart spent 22 years on N.C. State staff and served 11 seasons as associate head coach.
N.C. State did not have to look far for its new head coach. In fact, it turned to the dugout.
Associate head coach Chris Hart will become the Wolfpack’s next coach, following Elliott Avent’s retirement. The N.C. State Board of Trustees University Affairs Committee approved Hart’s contract on Friday during an emergency meeting.
The promotion comes one day after Avent’s announcement he would retire after 30 seasons at N.C. State.
Hart spent 22 seasons on staff at N.C. State with the last 11 as associate head coach. He also served as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator, and Hart credited Avent with developing him as a coach.
“I am thrilled and honored to be named head coach at a place that I love and that has become home,” Hart said in a statement. “I want to thank Boo Corrigan for giving me this opportunity and for believing in me to lead this program. N.C. State is a special place, and this baseball program means so much to me.
“I understand the standard of excellence that comes with being a part of N.C. State Athletics, and I’m excited to build on the strong foundation established by incredible leaders like Elliott Avent, Ray Tanner and Sam Esposito.”
A recruiter and player developer at NC State
During his time with the Wolfpack, Hart earned the reputation as one of the top recruiters and assistants in the sport. He was the 2021 Baseball America Assistant Coach of the Year and has helped develop 32 draft picks, including Trea Turner, since taking over the recruiting role in 2010.
Turner is a three-time MLB All-Star and World Series champion. Thirteen other N.C. State draft picks coached by Hart have gone on to earn MLB roster spots.
He also helped develop the program into a consistent contender in the ACC and nationally. It also was regularly one of the top offenses and defenses in the country.
“As I’ve watched Chris over the years, I’ve been more and more impressed with him in many ways,” Corrigan said. “He’s a nationally-recognized recruiter, has a wealth of baseball knowledge and is a great representative of our program. He loves N.C. State and has chosen to stay, despite numerous opportunities to leave. We could go out and search nationally for our new head coach, but I’m so glad that we didn’t have to because the best man for the job was right here.”
Chris Hart’s career
Prior to his time in Raleigh, Hart was an assistant coach at St. Petersburg College in Florida, working as the hitting coach and third base coach. He served as the head coach of the Loudoun Rangers in the Shenandoah Valley League.
The coach-in-waiting played four years at Florida State, making the NCAA Super Regionals every season. They advanced to the Men’s College World Series in 1999 and 2000. He played every position except pitcher and center field.
Hart was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 1998 MLB Draft.
Avent announced on Thursday he would retire at the end of the season, following three decades with the program. He leaves the program as the career wins leader and one of the most successful coaches in the sport, earning 1,103 victories at N.C. State and 1,327 in his career.
“I do want to take a moment to thank Coach Avent and recognize his incredible career at N.C. State,” University Affair Committee chair Ghazale Johnston said. “We are so grateful for all of his services. Contributions to our university and our baseball program left a long-lasting impact and will never be forgotten.”
N.C. State fell to Duke, 21-12, in the first round of the ACC Tournament on Tuesday. The team finished the regular season with a 32-22 overall record and 14-16 in conference play. The Wolfpack awaits Selection Monday, when it finds out whether it did enough to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM with the headline "NC State baseball names new coach a day after Elliott Avent announces retirement."
