CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – The leader of the North Carolina Tar Heels baseball program is set to be sticking around for the next few years.
North Carolina baseball coach Scott Forbes agreed to terms on a new five-year contract extension, which will keep him in Chapel Hill through the 2029 season, according to a Monday news release from UNC athletics. The exact details of the contract are unavailable at this time.
This deal comes on the heels of UNC making its 12th appearance in the College World Series this past summer – the program’s first trip to Omaha since 2018.
Forbes also took home Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year honors after leading the Diamond Heels to a 48-16 record, while clinching the No. 4 overall seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
“It has been outstanding to watch Carolina Baseball continue to thrive under the leadership of Coach Scott Forbes,” UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement. “His commitment to winning at the highest level is surpassed only by his dedication to developing and mentoring successful student-athletes who want to give back to the Carolina community in positive ways. He truly cares about people, and he is focused on making everyone around him better each and every day. We are happy that he will remain our coach for years to come.”
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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 23: Head coach Scott Forbes talks with Mac Horvath #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the eighth inning during the ACC Baseball Championship at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on May 23, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) -
CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Scott Forbes #21 and Justice Thompson #20 of North Carolina at third base during a game between Virginia and North Carolina at Boshamer Stadium on February 27, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) -
CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Scott Forbes #21 of North Carolina during a game between Virginia and North Carolina at Boshamer Stadium on February 27, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) -
CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Scott Forbes #21 of North Carolina encourages his team during a game between Virginia and North Carolina at Boshamer Stadium on February 27, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
“It is a privilege to serve our players, this incredible university and athletic department,” Forbes said. “UNC baseball begins and ends with our players. The program will always be about them and they are what make us special. They are why we do what we do, and I am humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve them.”
Entering his fifth year at the helm, Forbes is the first coach in UNC history to reach the NCAA Tournament in each of his first four seasons. He compiled a 154-89 record since taking over the reins of the program in 2021 from Mike Fox, whose teams advanced to the College World Series on seven occasions. The Stanford native previously spent 15 years on the Tar Heels coaching staff under Fox, who’s set to be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in February 2025.
During his tenure as head coach, Forbes has also spearheaded the Diamond Heels to a pair of NCAA Super Regional appearances, an ACC Tournament championship in 2022, as well as an ACC Coastal Division title in 2024.
“I am also blessed to work with the best coaching and support staff in the country,” Forbes said. “They work tirelessly to serve our players and our program, and I am so lucky to work alongside them each day.”
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North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes celebrates their win against NC State in an NCAA college baseball game at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament final Sunday, May 29, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. North Carolina won 9-5. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) -
North Carolina’s Vance Honeycutt (7) comes to talk to head coach Scott Forbes during eighth inning of an NCAA college super regional baseball game against Arkansas in Chapel Hill, N.C., Sunday, June 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) -
North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes speaks with his infield during an NCAA regional baseball game against Long Island on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) -
North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes celebrates as his team defeats Long Island with a walk-off grand slam in an NCAA regional baseball game on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
“I am extremely grateful for Chancellor Lee Roberts, Bubba Cunningham and his staff, and our Board of Trustees for their commitment to Carolina Baseball, their belief in me and their investment in our sport,” he added. “They, along with our tremendous donors, mean so much to our program.”
Under Forbes’ tutelage, seven UNC players earned All-American recognition, and 16 players received All-ACC honors. Meanwhile, 17 former Tar Heels have been selected in the MLB Draft, including most recently Vance Honeycutt, a two-time All-American selection and ACC Defensive Player of the Year who became the 25th first-round pick in program history.