Chris Hart Named NC State Head Baseball Coach

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State's McMurray Family Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan has announced that veteran coach Chris Hart has been named the 17th head coach in the history of the NC State program. Hart has served on the Wolfpack baseball staff for the past 22 seasons.

"As I've watched Chris over the years, I've been more and more impressed with him in many ways," said Corrigan. "He's a nationally-recognized recruiter, has a wealth of baseball knowledge and is a great representative of our program. He loves NC State and has chosen to stay, despite numerous opportunities to leave. We could go out and search nationally for our new head coach, but I'm so glad that we didn't have to because the best man for the job was right here."

"I am thrilled and honored to be named head coach at a place that I love and that has become home," said Hart. "I want to thank Boo Corrigan for giving me this opportunity and for believing in me to lead this program. NC State is a special place, and this baseball program means so much to me. I understand the standard of excellence that comes with being a part of NC State Athletics, and I'm excited to build on the strong foundation established by incredible leaders like Elliott Avent, Ray Tanner, and Sam Esposito.

"I would also like to personally thank Coach Avent for everything he has done for me, for this program, and for NC State. He has taught me so much throughout my career, and his support, mentorship, and encouragement have meant the world to me.

"I'm excited to continue developing players on and off the field, competing at the highest level, and making Wolfpack Nation proud. Our fans are among the best in college baseball, and I can't wait to continue building something special together."

Known as one of the nation's top assistant coaches and recruiting coordinators, Chris Hart has spent the past 11 years as associate head coach. He has also served as the Wolfpack's hitting coach and recruiting coordinator and has been involved in all facets of the program.

The 2021 Baseball America National Assistant Coach of the Year, Hart has helped mentor 32 draft picks since taking the role as recruiting coordinator in 2010. The Wolfpack's recruiting classes ranked in the top five nationally three times under his direction: fourth by Baseball America in 2011 and 2012, and fifth by D1Baseball in 2024. The Pack also posted top 25 rankings in 2016, 2021, 2023, and 2025 (D1 Baseball and Baseball America).

In 2016, Hart was recognized by D1Baseball as one of the top 30 recruiters in the country - an honor voted on by his peers.

The Clearwater, Fla., native has been responsible for NC State's reputation as one of the top offensive and defensive teams year in and year out, as the Wolfpack finished third in the NCAA in fielding percentage (.982) and tied for fifth in home runs (92) under his direction in 2021. In 2019, NC State finished first in the ACC and 13th in the NCAA with 130 doubles. In 2018, the Wolfpack finished the season ranked fifth in the nation with 87 home runs and 10th with a .477 slugging percentage as a team. 

Hart coached Trea Turner, now a three-time MLB All-Star and World Series champion. In 2012, Turner set the program record for most stolen bases in a single season and the second most in ACC history with 57. In 2013, Turner led the team with 30 as NC State set a program record for a season with 110 stolen bases. 

From 2019 to 2025, a combined 18 position players have been selected in the MLB Draft. This was headlined by first-rounders Will Wilson (2019, Los Angeles Angels) and Patrick Bailey (2020, San Francisco Giants) - the first Wolfpack players to be drafted in the first round in back-to-back seasons. Hart, who coaches the catchers, has seen Bailey go on to win two Gold Glove awards. 

Thirteen draft picks Hart has coached have gone on to appear on a major league roster. Six draft picks since 2023 are now playing professionally at some level. 

After being named the program's lead recruiter in 2010, Hart immediately produced results on the recruiting trail, signing one of the nation's best recruiting classes. Among the 13 heralded newcomers on the NC State roster that fall were Brett Austin, the highest-drafted recruit to attend NC State in 31 years; Carlos Rodon, the 2011 North Carolina High School Player of the Year; and Turner. Baseball America ranked the Wolfpack's 2010-11 class No. 4 in the country.

Elliott Avent hired Hart in 2005 to serve as the Director of Baseball Operations. He moved from his operations role to a volunteer assistant position after two years, then his desire to coach led him to give up his salaried position to become a volunteer coach with the Wolfpack. 

As a player, Hart was a four-year letterman for former head coach Mike Martin at Florida State (1999-2003). He was a utilityman as a freshman, starting as the designated hitter against left-handed pitching. He began his sophomore year as the Seminoles' starting catcher, but was granted a medical hardship by the NCAA after fracturing his tibia eight games into the season. 
Lingering problems from his rehab cost Hart playing time the next two seasons, but he blossomed as a senior, playing in 67 games and making 63 starts at second and third base.  

In all, Hart played 195 games for the Seminoles, starting 116 and batting .271 with 23 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 72 RBIs. The four FSU teams he played on (1999, 2001-03) each appeared in the NCAA Super Regionals and the Seminoles advanced to the College World Series in 1999 and 2000. During his career at Florida State, Hart played every position on the field except for pitcher and center field.

Upon graduation, Hart spent one year (2004) as an assistant coach at St. Petersburg (Fla.) College, where he served as the hitting and third-base coach and was involved in all aspects of the program. Hart coached all positions defensively and was involved in the program's recruiting as well.

During the summer of 2004, Hart served as head coach of the Loudoun Rangers in the Shenandoah Valley League. At Loudoun, he coached players from seven different Division I Conferences, including the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big East, and Conference USA.

A two-time all-state selection and a four-time all-county pick at Clearwater Central Catholic High School, Hart was named All-Suncoast and led the county in home runs as a junior. He was selected to the Florida All-Star Team as a senior, was Florida's 1998 American Legion Player of the Year, and was taken in the 46th round of the 1998 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox.

Hart graduated from Florida State in 2003 with a degree in sport management. Hart and his wife, Haley, have two sons, Houston and Walker.