University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH
Baseball Staff Earns Contract Extensions
September 21, 2026 | Baseball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina baseball head coach Scott Forbes has agreed to terms on a contract extension through 2032. Additionally, his assistant coaches have reached agreements for contract extensions as well. The deals were approved on Thursday during the North Carolina Board of Governors meeting.
Â
Since Forbes took over as head coach ahead of the 2021 season, the Tar Heels have amassed 254 wins – averaging over 42 wins per season and eclipsing 49 each year since 2024 – made two trips to Omaha and won three ACC Championships. The Diamond Heels are coming off an incredible run to the Men's College World Series Finals in 2026, another highlight of their sustained success.
Â
 During Forbes' tenure, UNC has appeared in six consecutive NCAA tournaments which is the longest streak to start a head coaching career in program history. Carolina is the only team in the country to reach the College World Series twice in the last three seasons.
Â
"Scott Forbes has been an integral part of Carolina baseball's sustained excellence during his more than two decades with our program, first as an assistant coach and now as head coach," said Director of Athletics Steve Newmark. "It was a priority for our department to extend Scott's contract and recognize the tremendous job he and his staff have done leading this program. They have established Carolina as one of the premier programs in the country, and just as importantly, have developed outstanding student-athletes who are successful in the classroom and in the community. Scott's loyalty to Carolina, his staff and his student-athletes is unmatched, and we are fortunate to have him leading our baseball program."
Â
An incredibly successful 2026 season saw the Tar Heels finish as national runners up in the program's 13th trip to the College World Series. Carolina advanced to Omaha after hosting both the NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals for the fourth time in Forbes' tenure.
Â
Several Diamond Heels were recognized for their accomplishments in 2026, including Caden Glauber, whom the staff developed from an early high school graduate to D1Baseball and ACC Freshman-of-the-Year honors. Four players earned All-America honors, eight were named All-ACC, four claimed spots on the MCWS All-Tournament Team, and six were taken in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Â
"I am grateful to Chancellor Roberts, Steve Newmark, the Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors for their continued support and enhanced investment in this program," said Forbes. "We talk about it all the time within our program that it is an honor and privilege to be at UNC and it is truly a privilege to serve our players, this university and the athletic department daily. The program will always be about the players, and our staff is humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve them."
Â
Player development has been a pillar of the program under this staff, which collectively has coached 13 All-America winners, 34 All-ACC honorees and 27 MLB Draft selections. Last year's starting shortstop Jake Schaffner became the program's 27th first round pick in 2026 after just one season in Chapel Hill. UNC has seen a position player selected in the first round of the MLB Draft in each of the last three years and had four players drafted in the top-100 for the first time in program history.
Â
The Heels led the ACC in ERA in 2024 and 2025 with a second-place finish in 2026. Glauber followed 2025 National Pitcher of the Year Jake Knapp as the conference's individual ERA leader, marking the first time UNC pitchers earned the league's best in ERA in back-to-back seasons since 2005-2006.
Â
In 2026, Carolina recorded its most runs ever in a single season with 550, while finishing in the top-10 in the nation in hits, walks and triples. The defense has also been extraordinary, led by the program's first two Gold Glove winners in Vance Honeycutt (2024) and Gavin Gallaher (2026).
Â
Fans can get an early look at the 2027 Diamond Heels at one of their upcoming fall scrimmages. Remaining dates include an Oct. 2 meeting with Walters State at Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium and concluding with a showdown against NC State at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Oct. 16.
Â
 The 2027 baseball schedule and updated ticket information will be released later this fall. Be sure to follow @DiamondHeels on X and @CarolinaBaseball on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with news and information about the program.
Â
Â
Since Forbes took over as head coach ahead of the 2021 season, the Tar Heels have amassed 254 wins – averaging over 42 wins per season and eclipsing 49 each year since 2024 – made two trips to Omaha and won three ACC Championships. The Diamond Heels are coming off an incredible run to the Men's College World Series Finals in 2026, another highlight of their sustained success.
Â
 During Forbes' tenure, UNC has appeared in six consecutive NCAA tournaments which is the longest streak to start a head coaching career in program history. Carolina is the only team in the country to reach the College World Series twice in the last three seasons.
Â
"Scott Forbes has been an integral part of Carolina baseball's sustained excellence during his more than two decades with our program, first as an assistant coach and now as head coach," said Director of Athletics Steve Newmark. "It was a priority for our department to extend Scott's contract and recognize the tremendous job he and his staff have done leading this program. They have established Carolina as one of the premier programs in the country, and just as importantly, have developed outstanding student-athletes who are successful in the classroom and in the community. Scott's loyalty to Carolina, his staff and his student-athletes is unmatched, and we are fortunate to have him leading our baseball program."
Â
An incredibly successful 2026 season saw the Tar Heels finish as national runners up in the program's 13th trip to the College World Series. Carolina advanced to Omaha after hosting both the NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals for the fourth time in Forbes' tenure.
Â
Several Diamond Heels were recognized for their accomplishments in 2026, including Caden Glauber, whom the staff developed from an early high school graduate to D1Baseball and ACC Freshman-of-the-Year honors. Four players earned All-America honors, eight were named All-ACC, four claimed spots on the MCWS All-Tournament Team, and six were taken in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Â
"I am grateful to Chancellor Roberts, Steve Newmark, the Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors for their continued support and enhanced investment in this program," said Forbes. "We talk about it all the time within our program that it is an honor and privilege to be at UNC and it is truly a privilege to serve our players, this university and the athletic department daily. The program will always be about the players, and our staff is humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve them."
Â
Player development has been a pillar of the program under this staff, which collectively has coached 13 All-America winners, 34 All-ACC honorees and 27 MLB Draft selections. Last year's starting shortstop Jake Schaffner became the program's 27th first round pick in 2026 after just one season in Chapel Hill. UNC has seen a position player selected in the first round of the MLB Draft in each of the last three years and had four players drafted in the top-100 for the first time in program history.
Â
The Heels led the ACC in ERA in 2024 and 2025 with a second-place finish in 2026. Glauber followed 2025 National Pitcher of the Year Jake Knapp as the conference's individual ERA leader, marking the first time UNC pitchers earned the league's best in ERA in back-to-back seasons since 2005-2006.
Â
In 2026, Carolina recorded its most runs ever in a single season with 550, while finishing in the top-10 in the nation in hits, walks and triples. The defense has also been extraordinary, led by the program's first two Gold Glove winners in Vance Honeycutt (2024) and Gavin Gallaher (2026).
Â
Fans can get an early look at the 2027 Diamond Heels at one of their upcoming fall scrimmages. Remaining dates include an Oct. 2 meeting with Walters State at Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium and concluding with a showdown against NC State at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Oct. 16.
Â
 The 2027 baseball schedule and updated ticket information will be released later this fall. Be sure to follow @DiamondHeels on X and @CarolinaBaseball on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with news and information about the program.
Â
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ BaseballMonday, June 22
Sunday, June 21
Sunday, June 21
Sunday, June 21