NC State coach to retire from ‘dream job’ after 30 years with the Wolfpack
N.C. State baseball is on the hunt for a new skipper for the first time in 30 years.
Elliott Avent announced Thursday he will retire at the end of the season, following three decades leading the Pack. Avent 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.
“Not many people get the chance to do what they love at a place that means so much to them,” Avent said in a statement. “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 N.C. State.”
The announcement comes two days after the team fell to Duke, 21-12, in the first round of the ACC Tournament. N.C. State finished the regular season with a 32-22 overall record and 14-16 in conference play.
In his career, Avent has led the Wolfpack to 22 NCAA Tournament appearances. N.C. State is on the bubble for this year’s tournament and will find out if it made the field on Monday.
Avent’s contract was up for renewal at the end of this season. Until the announcement, it was unclear what the 70-year-old coach’s future at N.C. State looked like.
Avent has guided the team to six Super Regional appearance and the Men’s College World Series in 2013, 2021 and 2024.
Forty players have earned All-America honors, with eight being named first team All-Americans. Only two other players in program history earned first team recognition. He coached 104 All-ACC selections and 43 first-teamers.
During his time with N.C. State, 137 players were selected in the MLB draft and 31 former players are currently playing professionally. Four are currently on MLB rosters.
“Most of all, I would like to say thank you to the players,” Avent said. “Your character, effort, love and respect for our great game made coming to the ballpark my favorite part of every day. There’s no way I can express how much each and every player has meant to me. It’s hard to say goodbye to something that has been such a big part of my life, but I leave with a full heart and so much gratitude. This game is about teammates and memories. My memories will be a constant companion and our players, coaches, staff, and fans are teammates I’ll hold in my heart forever. So long from No. 9.”
Among his other successes, Avent was the 2003 ACC and national coach of the year. He received college coach of the year honors from USA Baseball in 2021. He was on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team staff in 2004, bringing home a gold medal in the World University Games.
“Elliott has built a lasting legacy at N.C. State and in the sport of college baseball, enjoying competitive success while touching so many lives in the process,” Athletic Director Boo Corrigan said in a statement. “He has been a wonderful representative of our department and university and will forever be a part of our story. I want to thank him for his many contributions and wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Gov. Josh Stein honored Avent with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which awards residents for their contributions to the state, while the Wolfpack named its new Doak Field clubhouse after the longtime leader.
Avent not only worked at N.C. State but is an alumnus of the program. He attended N.C. State before beginning his coaching career at North Carolina Wesleyan. He spent time at Virginia Commonwealth, Louisburg Community College and William & Mary. During his time at Louisburg, Avent worked under Hall of Famer and fellow N.C. State alumnus Russ Frazier.
He returned to N.C. State in 1988 and was an assistant on Ray Tanner’s staff.
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This is a developing story and will be updated.
This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 11:30 AM with the headline "NC State coach to retire from ‘dream job’ after 30 years with the Wolfpack."
