Diamond Heels head coach Scott Forbes and UNC have agreed to terms on a new contract extension which will keep Forbes in Chapel Hill through at least 2029.

“It has been outstanding to watch Carolina Baseball continue to thrive under the leadership of Coach Scott Forbes,” said UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “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.”

In 2024, Forbes’ fourth year as head coach, he led the Diamond Heels to their first Men’s College World Series appearance since 2018 and 12th in program history. Other highlights from his four-year tenure include an ACC Tournament title and NCAA Super Regional appearance in 2022, as well as an ACC regular-season title and ACC Coach of the Year honors in 2024. UNC has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in each of his four years leading the team.

“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,” Forbes said. “They, along with our tremendous donors, mean so much to our program.”

The renegotiation did not come long after Forbes’ last one. In May 2023, which is mid-season for college baseball, Forbes and UNC similarly agreed to a five-year extension — which at the time, tied him to the university through the 2028 season.

In his four seasons as head coach, seven of Forbes’ players have earned All-America nods, 16 have been named to an All-ACC team and 17 have been drafted into Major League Baseball.

Before serving as head coach, Forbes was an assistant under head coach Mike Fox for 15 seasons. In that span, UNC made the NCAA Tournament 14 times, won three ACC Tournaments and reached the Men’s College World Series seven times.

“It is a privilege to serve our players, this incredible university and athletic department,” said Forbes. “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.”

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Joe Bray

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