Overview
- Avent announced Thursday that he will step down at the end of this season after 30 years in Raleigh, finishing with about 1,103 wins at NC State and three College World Series trips.
- Athletic director Boo Corrigan praised Avent's program-building and lasting impact on the university in an official statement.
- NC State entered the announcement on the NCAA Tournament bubble at 32-22 after a 2-of-3 loss to UNC and a 21-12 ACC Tournament defeat to Duke, and the team suffered season-altering injuries to starters Ryan Marohn and Jacob Dudan.
- On Friday the school elevated longtime assistant Chris Hart to head coach with trustees approving his contract, a move that gives the program an internal successor as it waits for the selection show.
- Avent leaves a deep player-development legacy that includes MLB stars such as Carlos Rodon, Trea Turner and Patrick Bailey, and the program now faces near-term consequences for postseason fate, recruiting and roster continuity depending on Monday's NCAA decision.