NC State baseball coach Elliott Avent has been named manager of USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team for the 2021 season, the organization announced Wednesday.
This will mark Avent’s USA Baseball managerial debut and his third time overall working with the Collegiate National Team. He served as an assistant coach for the 2004 and 2015 teams, helping to lead Team USA to a World University Championships gold medal and an 18-7 record in 2004.
“Being selected to coach some of the best collegiate players in our great game is a special honor,” Avent said in a statement. “I’ve had the privilege to work alongside Eric Campbell in previous years and USA Baseball is a well-run organization. I look forward to announcing our staff in the coming weeks before turning our attention to selecting the team that will get the opportunity to compete and represent our country this summer.”
Avent is the winningest coach in Wolfpack history with a 909-544 record in his 25th season. He reached the 900-win milestone in State’s win against Appalachian State on April 6. During his tenure, he has led the Wolfpack to 18 NCAA Regional appearances, including four Super Regionals and a College World Series berth in 2013.
He is currently one of 10 active Division I baseball coaches with at least 1,000 career wins and is the 11th-winningest active head coach in NCAA baseball with a career record of 1,133-757.
“Elliott is an exceptional baseball coach with an outstanding legacy of success throughout his long tenure at NC State,” Campbell, USA Baseball Collegiate National Team general manager said. “Since USA Baseball arrived in the Triangle in 2003, Elliott and the NC State program have been incredibly generous in supporting all of our programs and we are excited to have him once again working with the Collegiate National Team. We are confident that he will serve as a tremendous example and leader for this year’s team of talented young athletes both on and off the field.”
Ten of Avent’s former players have participated on the Collegiate National Team, including Joey Devine (2004), Carlos Rodon (2012,-13), Trea Turner (2012,-13), Will Wilson (2018) and Patrick Bailey (2018-19).
