University of North Carolina Athletics
Forbes Named National Pitching Coach Of The Year
November 5, 2008 | Baseball
Nov. 5, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina associate head coach Scott Forbes, who helped mold the Tar Heels' pitching staff into the nation's best unit last season, has been chosen Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's College Pitching Coach of the Year. Forbes has served as the Tar Heels' pitching coach for the last three seasons and has helped guide Carolina to three straight College World Series appearances.
"I am honored to receive this tremendous award from Collegiate Baseball, but the credit goes to each and every one of our current and former pitchers," said Forbes. "They come to work every day with the focus and drive necessary to succeed on this level. Our team is a joy to work with, and I am blessed to be a part of the best coaching staff and the top university in the country. We're looking forward to building on our recent success with another fine season in 2009."
"I am very happy for Scott to receive this recognition from Collegiate Baseball," said Carolina head coach Mike Fox, Baseball America's 2008 National Coach of the Year. "It is well deserved. Since returning to Carolina as our pitching coach we have had great success as a team and as a pitching staff, and this is no coincidence. Scott is a motivator and has a great rapport with our pitchers and all our players. He is also a relentless recruiter. We are very fortunate to have him at Carolina."
Since rejoining the North Carolina staff after a three-year stint at Winthrop, Forbes has built the Tar Heels' pitching staff into one of the nation's best. Last year, his staff led the country in earned run average, strikeouts per nine inning and fewest hits allowed per nine innings. Carolina's 2.92 ERA was the program's lowest since 1983, and its 681 strikeouts smashed the school record by 138. Last season, UNC had 12 pitchers post an ERA of 3.03 or better.
Right-hander Alex White anchored the Tar Heels' staff a year ago and became the third UNC pitcher to earn All-America honors under Forbes, joining Andrew Miller and Andrew Carignan. White was also named ACC Pitcher of the Year and - along with reliever Rob Wooten - claimed All-ACC honors. Additionally, freshmen right-handers Matt Harvey and Colin Bates earned freshman All-America honors in 2008.
Forbes also has a proven track record of preparing his pitchers for the next level, as eight Tar Heels have been selected in the major league draft over the last three years, and one has inked a free agent deal. Both Miller and Daniel Bard were first-round selections in 2006, and Miller, currently with the Florida Marlins, has pitched in the majors in each of the last three seasons. Bard was named the Boston Red Sox minor league pitcher of the year for 2008.
In Miller, Robert Woodard and Adam Warren, Forbes has coached the Tar Heels' career leaders in strikeouts, wins and winning percentage, respectively. Additionally, Forbes helped guide a pair of Tar Heels to individual statistical titles, as Jonathan Hovis claimed the 2006 NCAA ERA title at 1.17, and Carignan tied for the national lead with 18 saves in 2007.
On the recruiting front, Forbes played in an integral role in landing the nation's No. 6 freshman class in 2007 and the No. 4 freshman class in 2008.
