INF Luke Nixon: "I've Been Very Fortunate To Be Coached By Him For Three Years"

NC State INF Luke Nixon met with the media to discuss Coach Avent's retirement, the regional matchup against UCF, and much more!

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!

Just your initial thoughts on Elliott hanging it up after this, and what it means to still be able to play.

Yeah, I mean, I've been very fortunate to be coached by him for three years. Not only coached, but just being around him. He's a great dude. I don't really know anyone who can say anything bad about him. He's a great people person, very personable, and I'm just very happy that I got an experience with him.

How has Elliott impacted your life the most in these last few years?

Yeah, I would say not as much baseball, honestly, and just showing up, being the same person every day. I think that's something he really taught me a lot about. I feel like I used to be very up and down with my emotions, but just coming out here every day, putting on a smile for the boys, getting the boys riled up, and having the energy to come to the field. I think that's a big deal, and that's something he really taught me.

How important has that been? How has it manifested itself in this season, when obviously you guys had some injuries early on? A lot of guys, maybe, could have said the season is derailed and hung their heads. How did his showing up like that help you guys?

I think that's always how this program's really been run. If something bad happens, let's get right back up. It really teaches players to be tough, mentally and physically. A lot of these guys have been injured and played through it. We're very fortunate to have as many guys as we have to even show up in those positions. Christian Serrano did a great job when Mikey was down. I think that goes to show how much he's really...

How has your NC State experience lived up to your expectations?

There is no other place I would rather play than here, for the coaching staff, the fans, and especially my teammates, more than anyone. I love those guys with all my heart. Those are friends I'll have the rest of my life, and memories I'll have the rest of my life with them. So yeah, 100%. I didn't even think it would be this fun, baseball-wise, and just going to school in general too.

How deserving was Chris Hart of taking over this role?

More deserving than anyone. I don't know a dude who's put in more hard work for individual players as much as him. I think Avent and Hart had a great time together, and I think they gel very well together in their ways. Hart's a little more to himself, Avent's a little louder, but all they do is really care about the players at the end of the day.

What's a trait you think that'll make him a great head coach?

Definitely just his will to win. I've never really been around someone who just wants to win, win anything. He'll do whatever it takes, and I think it really rubs off on the players and the team. I think that's why it's been a winning program.

Take us just into the moment here in the new players' lounge. You guys are watching the selection show, and you see the program's name come across the screen. Describe that for us.

There is no better feeling. They even said after the meeting, just remember how it feels to see your name up on that board and know that you're going for a season, know that you're going to compete with your teammates and your best friends one more time. Also knowing that you can make a great run and go to Omaha. I think every kid's dream is playing on Schwab dirt.

How much did it help to go back to a place you guys were last year?

Auburn's a great place, a great environment. Fans get rowdy there. SEC is cool, and it's a great surface to play on. I'm excited to compete against a team that sent us home last year.