NC State INF Sherman Johnson met with the media to discuss Coach Avent's retirement, their regional group with Auburn, UCF, and Milwaukee.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!
What was it like for you to see the name pop up and have this be your first time playing in the NCAA tournament?
Yeah, it was amazing. I mean, I guess my freshman year, I didn't get to go with DBU for summer ball, so this is my first time going out there, actually playing out there, and being out there. So I'm just excited for the university, excited for the fans, and most excited for Coach Avent.
How has he impacted your life? I mean, it's only been a year, really, and how have you kind of been able to take from it?
Yeah, it's been crazy. I mean, Avent and I have grown a strong bond recently. He texts me all the time, even at 12 o'clock after a game. He'll be like, "Good job today." I'm like, "Thanks, Coach." He's special to me and to my family. He took us in like, as if he knew me forever, and so it's been special.
Anderson talked about the fearlessness that he instills in guys. What does he do to instill that in you and give you that confidence out there on the field?
Yeah, I mean, he just tells me every day, like, I'm a good player. He knows I can go out there and do it, so he just tells me, "You're going to get a hit, this and that. Like, you're going to make every play over there." So, he just gives you a lot of confidence.
This last month, you've seen that kind of payoff a little bit, too, and you finished Third Team All-ACC. What has this last month been like for you from a confidence standpoint as well?
Yeah, it's been good. I've always known I could do it. It's just going out there and showing people I can do it. I know me and Bo, me and Hart, and Avent, we work at it a lot. I just want to do whatever I can do to help the team win. If that's going to right field, playing right field, then that's doing that. If that's playing third, then that's doing that. That's Avent, whatever he needs me to do, I'll do for him. So it's been good.
What makes Coach Hart the right guy for the job?
Yeah, I mean, Coach Hart loves NC State. I think that's the biggest thing. He wants to be here. He wants to be the next head coach. And, he wants to do everything that Avent taught him and that Esposito taught Avent. I think it all just passes down to everybody. So I think he's the right man for the job.
What do you think is the best trait that'll make him a good head coach?
You know, I think his recruiting is really good. I think he's going to be able to recruit here, and especially with the new facilities, it's going to be even easier. He's a great guy, and he means what he says. Everything he told me when I was being recruited here has happened. So it's been good.
What did he do when he was recruiting you a year ago to get you to say, "Yeah, I'm coming"?
Yeah, no, I mean, it was a quick process for me. I left my previous team, and then it was just a quick process. I came, took a visit here, and I loved it. I committed in the car while he was driving me back to my hotel. So it was pretty awesome.
I feel like Avent is big on family. They've been coming to a lot of the games, so are they going to be down there?
Yeah, they'll be in Auburn. My uncle actually lives there, so he'll be there. He has a house right next to Auburn. I'm not an Auburn fan, but I grew up going to their football games a lot. And so, you know, it's right on the Plains where I'm from. So it'll be good.
I want to ask you about the support you're getting from your family. Do you feel like NC State kind of reminds you of that? I don't want to compare them to your family, but you know what I'm saying?
Yeah, for sure. I think Avent is like a father figure to us. He's just like our dad. If we can tell him anything, he helps us with everything. Parking tickets, school, whatever that is, he'll help us. So it's been great.
Is that from experience?
Oh, yeah. I've gotten three boots on my car and four tickets. I just called Avent, and he helped me out with it. So it's been kind of crazy, but yeah, it's great.
What is the biggest piece of advice that he's given you that stands out? It could be parking-related, school-related, or class-related.
Biggest piece of advice? He gives me advice on girls a lot, I think. He doesn't think I'll ever find a wife. He doesn't think I'll ever find a wife. Nah, I think I'll be okay with a wife. He gives me a lot of advice about that. But just, like I said earlier, just being a good baseball player, knowing I can do it, knowing I can go out there and show my skill.
