The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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42 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Avent's first head coaching job was at New Mexico State, where he went 225-213 in eight seasons, becoming the second- winningest coach in Aggies history. When Tanner left NC State for South Carolina after the 1996 season, Avent was a perfect fit for the position. He boasted a winning résumé, North Carolina roots and a pas- sion for Wolfpack athletics. Sammy Esposito, the son of Sam Es- posito, whom Avent credits with laying the foundation for NC State baseball, was among the first to play under the new skipper. The young catcher shared Avent's passion for NC State and knew the Pack had found the right man for the job. "You saw somebody who was willing to give every ounce of energy in his heart and soul to the program," Esposito re- called. "He just cared about the university and the program to make it as great as he could. I think his love for it just overcame everything else. He wanted to make sure it was as great as he could make it. I think that plays a massive part. "If you love something, you're going to give every ounce of energy, and it truly shows in what he's been able to do in 30 years." Avent has assembled talented rosters year after year, building one of the most- consistent programs in the ACC. His vision for NC State has always been grand, and he's been able to attract the kind of play- ers needed to realize his lofty ambitions, such as two-time National League batting champion Trea Turner and three-time MLB All-Star Carlos Rodon, teammates on the 2013 College World Series team. Turner, who is set to embark on his 12th big league season with the Philadelphia Phillies this spring, said Avent's obvious affection for the university has been one of the keys to his success. "He loves that school and the players who go through it," Turner said. "It's hard to find that, especially nowadays, with somebody who wants to be at that spot for so long and still approaches it like it's his first day on the job. He works so hard and has so many qualities that are really good for the players that go through there. But it's the love he has for the school that sticks out." A Unique Trait A lot has changed since Avent first en- tered the coaching profession as an as- sistant at North Carolina Wesleyan in 1981. Earrings, facial hair and tattoos are the norm, and players learn differently now than when he jumped into the college coaching ranks as a young assistant. Even so, Avent prides himself on his ability to relate to his team. "These players are the same as when I got into coaching 45 years ago, they're no different," he said. "What has changed is the society and the culture and how sports have changed in their lifetime. If you don't adapt to that as a coach, then you can't coach these players as well as you need to and get them to do the things that you're trying to inspire them to do." While the tangible differences are there, so are the intangibles. With the rise of the transfer portal, players are able to leave at a moment's notice when the go- ing gets tough. It grinds Avent's gears, but he's been able to find success in an era of constant turnover rather than bemoaning its arrival. "All the things they can fly to when things don't go their way, they lose that famous thing that Jimmy Valvano said, 'Don't give up. Don't ever give up.' The persistence that you have to have in sports to be successful — some of that you have to teach players, you have to find a differ- ent way," Avent said. "I've adapted to a lot of things that have changed. How I've evolved has allowed me to keep the rela- tionship that I feel I have with the players today." Avent's approach has worked for him even during a turbulent time in collegiate athletics. He's been more of a CEO-type coach for the past 15 years, with Hart leading the X's and O's and recruiting op- erations. Their arrangement has allowed the program to flourish. Avent knows how to push the right buttons when needed, whether that's giving a speech in the locker room or making a tough decision at the turning point in a game. He can lean on decades of knowledge picked up from those around him, including former women's basketball coach Kay Yow, for- mer men's soccer coach George Tarantini and Valvano. "Coach Avent is the best I've ever been around, as far as people," Hart said. "He's unbelievable. How to treat our players and how to get them to buy into a team and working hard — he's a magician at it." While Hart has seen Avent's uncanny ability to forge strong bonds with each player that has donned a Wolfpack uni- form, Turner has lived it. Even though Turner is more than a dozen years re- moved from playing for the longtime skipper, Avent remains a consistent pres- ence in his life. The two still talk on a monthly basis at minimum. Meanwhile, Avent's connection to his current players couldn't be stronger. De- spite a 50-year age gap, he continues to use his people skills to his advantage in his hope of earning his first-ever ACC and national championships. "He treats every kid like we're his sons," junior pitcher Jacob Dudan said. "He loves all of us. He's always talking with each and every one of us. He loves every one of his players." With NC State's 10-4 victory over Indiana State on Feb. 14, Avent became the fourth-winningest coach in ACC history. Heading into a March 3 matchup with Coastal Carolina, he had 1,081 victories as the Wolfpack's head coach. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE BASEBALL