The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543694
MARCH/APRIL 2026 ■ 43 Avent is an old-school coach with a modern approach to building bonds with players. Those relationships have kept him young at heart, and they've helped the Wolfpack thrive. He may be demand- ing at times, but his approach has paid off on the field. "He's an amazing person, an amazing coach," junior pitcher Ryan Marohn said. "I think most people that play for him would say there's no one else in the coun- try I'd rather play for." Seeking A National Title The pain of Omaha keeps Avent com- ing back for more. He still feels the sting from being eliminated in 2013. Then in 2021, with a finals berth in its grasp, the Pack was removed from the field due to COVID-19, a decision that Avent called "not only unthinkable but unforgivable." And then came the trip in 2024, which ended after back-to-back losses. "It's so fun to get here," Avent said of the team's most recent visit, "and it's so hard to leave." Even with his 70th birthday approach- ing in May and his current contract set to expire after the 2026 season, Avent has shown no sign of slowing down. Could this be it for him? Or does he want to keep coaching? Avent didn't want to tip his hand when asked. "I don't think about the next [step], I think about where I'm at today," he said. "Jimmy Valvano always told me, 'Know where you came from, know where you are and know where you want to go.' I know where I came from and who I am. I think about where I'm at right now. I know where I want to go, but how to get there [involves] thinking about where you're at today and how to get a little better." Where does he want to go? It's a straightforward question, and Avent has an even more straightforward response. "National championship," he said. It would be the ultimate accomplish- ment in a remarkable career. Avent has lived his childhood dream over the past 29 seasons. This being his 30th is special, considering he never thought it would be possible to even hold this role, much less spend three decades in it. "It's something that I could have never dreamed or imagined," Avent said. "To live it, it's been unbelievable." ■ Elliott Avent By The Numbers Year Overall ACC Standing Postseason 1997 43-20 15-7 3rd NCAA Regional 1998 41-23 12-9 4th NCAA Regional 1999 37-25 11-13 6th NCAA Regional 2000 30-28 10-14 T-6th 2001 32-29 9-15 T-6th 2002 33-26 7-17 7th 2003 45-18 15-9 T-3rd NCAA Super Regional 2004 36-24 11-12 6th NCAA Regional 2005 41-19 17-13 6th NCAA Regional 2006 40-23 16-13 T-2nd (Atlantic) NCAA Regional 2007 38-23 16-14 3rd (Atlantic) NCAA Regional 2008 42-22 18-11 2nd (Atlantic) NCAA Super Regional 2009 25-31 10-20 T-4th (Atlantic) 2010 38-24 15-15 3rd (Atlantic) NCAA Regional 2011 35-27 15-15 T-3rd (Atlantic) NCAA Regional 2012 43-20 19-11 2nd (Atlantic) NCAA Super Regional 2013 50-16 19-10 2nd (Atlantic) College World Series 2014 32-23 13-17 5th (Atlantic) 2015 36-23 15-14 5th (Atlantic) NCAA Regional 2016 38-22 15-13 3rd (Atlantic) NCAA Regional 2017 36-25 16-14 4th (Atlantic) NCAA Regional 2018 42-18 19-11 2nd (Atlantic) NCAA Regional 2019 42-19 18-12 2nd (Atlantic) NCAA Regional 2020 14-3 1-2 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 2021 37-19 19-14 2nd (Atlantic) College World Series 2022 36-21 14-15 5th (Atlantic) 2023 36-21 13-16 5th (Atlantic) NCAA Regional 2024 38-23 18-11 2nd (Atlantic) College World Series 2025 35-21 17-11 4th NCAA Regional 2026 10-1 0-0 NC State 1,081-637 395-356 Avent (left) is known for developing strong relationships with his players. Last November, he was on hand when Carlos Rodon (center) and Trea Turner (right) were introduced to the crowd at a Wolfpack football game following their induction into the NC State Baseball Ring of Honor. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE BASEBALL