The University of North Carolina announced today that Head Baseball Coach Mike Fox has retired after 22 years and that Sanford native Scott Forbes will take over as head coach.

Forbes was previously the team’s pitching coach and associate head coach.

From the press release announcing the change:

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to continue to represent the University of North Carolina as the next head coach of the baseball program,” says Forbes. “For nearly two decades I’ve had the privilege of pouring my heart and soul into Tar Heel baseball. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished with Coach Fox and incredibly excited about our future.

“Every current and former player, coach, support staff member, and of course my family, have played a huge part in helping me reach this point in my career. Their support means the world to me. My entire family and I thank Chancellor Guskiewicz, Bubba Cunningham, Coach Fox, the Board of Trustees and all Tar Heels for this opportunity – we’ll make you proud.”

The Sanford, N.C., native began his coaching career with Fox in 1998 at N.C. Wesleyan. That followed a playing career at Middle Georgia College and Wesleyan. He was an assistant coach at UNC from 1999-2002 and at Winthrop from 2002-05. He returned to Chapel Hill in 2006 as pitching coach, a position he held through 2016. The 2021 season will be his 16th consecutive year on the Tar Heel staff.

Forbes has helped lead the Tar Heels to seven appearances in the College World Series, seven ACC division titles and three ACC Tournament titles.

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