(Photo credit: Bruce Thorson-Imagn Images)

Elliott Avent is retiring after 30 seasons from his 'dream job' as the baseball coach at North Carolina State.

Avent, 70, announced Thursday that he is stepping down at the end of the Wolfpack's season.

He is the winningest coach in school history (1,103 wins) and has 1,327 wins in a career that began with eight seasons at New Mexico State (1989-96) before taking over in Raleigh in 1997.

'Not many people get the chance to do what they love at a place that means so much to them,' Avent said. 'I've been lucky enough to have that opportunity and I've loved every minute of it. I want to thank all the coaches and staff who committed so much to make this journey so rewarding and successful. To our many loyal fans, I would like to say what an honor and privilege it has been to stand in that first base dugout at Doak Field and listen to you cheer our players. They played their hearts out for you and NC State.'

Avent earned National and ACC Coach of the Year honors in 2003 and guided NC State to the NCAA Tournament 22 times and the College World Series three times (2013, 2021 and 2024).

'Elliott has built a lasting legacy at NC State and in the sport of college baseball, enjoying competitive success while touching so many lives in the process,' athletic director Boo Corrigan said. 'He has been a wonderful representative of our department and university and will forever be a part of our story. I want to thank him for his many contributions and wish him all the best in his retirement.'

Forty of Avent's players have earned All-America honors, 104 have made the All-ACC team and 137 have been picked in the MLB draft, including 58 since 2015. Thirty-one of his alumni are currently playing professional baseball.

This year's team is 32-22 following a 21-12 loss to Duke on Tuesday in the ACC tournament. NC State will wait to see if it is selected Monday for the NCAA tourney.

--Field Level Media