In 2020, when legendary head coach Mike Fox retired after a remarkable 22-season tenure with the UNC baseball program, a wave of questions washed over. Who would step into the shoes of this coaching icon? And could the next head coach replicate the same level of success that Fox had achieved? These were the thoughts that lingered in the minds of many. When Fox announced his retirement in August 2020, the Diamond Heels made a significant decision by appointing longtime Fox assistant Scott Forbes as their new coach. Since that fateful day, UNC has been on an upward trajectory. Under Forbes' leadership, the team has made it to the NCAA Tournament every single season. In 2022, they won the ACC Tournament and this year, they claimed the ACC Regular Season Title. Moreover, they made a triumphant return to the College World Series for the first time since 2018. Just four seasons into his tenure, Forbes' achievements have been nothing short of extraordinary. And on Monday afternoon, he was rewarded with a well-deserved 5-year contract extension.An Unparalleled Streak
There is another aspect of Forbes that might surprise you. Among all the legendary coaches who have passed through Chapel Hill, he is the only one to lead UNC to NCAA Tournament appearances in each of a head coach's first four seasons. This postseason streak began in 2021 when UNC barely managed to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament and finished with a record of 28-27. The following year, in 2022, they won the ACC Tournament and reached the 40-win mark. However, they were swept in the Super Regional by Arkansas. In 2023, without the presence of all-time program great Vance Honeycutt, their postseason run ended in the Terre Haute Regional at the hands of Iowa. But 2024 undoubtedly stands out as Forbes' best year leading the Diamond Heels. An exceptionally talented team, led by MLB Draft picks Honeycutt, Casey Cook, and Dalton Pence, set off a series of remarkable moments in the postseason. It all started with a walkoff victory against Long Island University in the Chapel Hill Regional Opener. Then, in the ninth inning, they managed to stave off elimination against 2023 CWS champion LSU. The momentum continued into the Super Regional where they walked off against West Virginia and swept the Mountaineers in two games. Honeycutt once again delivered in the College World Series by walking off Virginia in Game One.The Future Looks Promising
Next year, the Diamond Heels will look quite different, especially on the field. But one thing is for sure, with Forbes at the helm, he will extract the maximum potential from this talented group. His ability to guide the team through various challenges and lead them to success is truly remarkable. Whether it's in the regular season or the postseason, Forbes has shown time and again that he is a force to be reckoned with. His leadership and coaching skills have transformed the UNC baseball program, and it will be exciting to see what the future holds.Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to stay updated with the latest news, notes, and opinions about the North Carolina Tar Heels.
