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NC State Elevates Chris Hart to Head Coach

5/22/2026

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Summary

Hart Hired

NC State promoted Chris Hart as head baseball coach after Elliott Avent retired following the 2026 season.
Hart had been associate head coach for 11 seasons, on staff for 22 years, and won 2021 Baseball America national assistant coach of the year award.
The Wolfpack finished 32-22, lost to Duke in the 2026 ACC Tournament and are now seeking an at-large NCAA Tournament bid when the field is announced Monday.

Summary

Hart Contract

The Board of Trustees approved Hart’s contract, but the terms were not released.
Hart’s prior associate-head coach salary was $310,000 per year, versus Avent’s $500,000 per year.
As lead recruiter, Hart secured 32 MLB draft selections, including first-round picks Carlos Rodón (No. 3, 2014) and Trea Turner (No. 13, 2014).
In the last five MLB drafts, 14 NC State position players were chosen, with two first-rounders, showing a strong pipeline under Hart.

History

Historical Context

In 1980 Florida State promoted assistant Mike Martin to head baseball coach, a role he held until his 2019 retirement. Martin led the Seminoles to 43 straight postseason appearances and became the first coach to reach 2,000 wins in 2019. His long-term internal promotion exemplifies the college baseball trend of building stability through elevating longtime staff.

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Hart Hired

NC State promoted Chris Hart as head baseball coach after Elliott Avent retired following the 2026 season.
Hart had been associate head coach for 11 seasons, on staff for 22 years, and won 2021 Baseball America national assistant coach of the year award.
The Wolfpack finished 32-22, lost to Duke in the 2026 ACC Tournament and are now seeking an at-large NCAA Tournament bid when the field is announced Monday.

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