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 COACH
SCOTT FORBES - north carolina tar heels
PING!BASEBALL SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW
The Ping!Baseball selected the North Carolina
Tar Heels as an early favorite to return to Omaha and the
College World Series once again in 2009. With a pitching staff
with dominant arms like Alex White (13-3, 2.83, 113 K), Adam
Warren (9-2, 4.23) and Matt Harvey (7-2, 2.79) who went a
combined 29-7 last season, and a bullpen backed with Brian
Moran (2.76, 72 K in 49 IP) and Nate Striz (1-0, 2.00), we
didn’t really feel like we were going out on a limb.
It’s kinda like saying Jack Bauer might come through
once again and save the day once again on 24.
 The
Heels pitchers are top shelf all the way. Last season UNC
hurlers finished first in the nation in ERA (2.92), strikeouts
per nine innings (10) as well as hits allowed per nine innings
(7.56) and here is some bad news for the ACC, almost the entire
staff is back in 2009. The architect behind the roster, the
I.M. Pei of pitching if you will, is Associate Head Coach
Scott Forbes.
Last season Forbes was honored by Collegiate
Baseball Newspaper as the College Pitching Coach of the Year,
and deservedly so. Unquestionably his drive and mentoring
is a major reason why UNC has made three straight CWS appearances.
Eight Tar Heels have been selected in the major league draft
over the last three years, including first rounders Andrew
Miller and Daniel Bard. Furthermore, as a recruiter Forbes
has been instrumental in the Heels signing top ten recruiting
classes in 2007 and 2008.
Somehow Forbes was able to take some time
off his busy schedule to answer some question from Ping!Baseball.
PING!BASEBALL:
Could you be a professional coach? Not meaning do you have
the ability, but rather the desire to work with non student-athletes?
FORBES:
I enjoy college so much and the relationships that are built
over those four years. I also love pro baseball so I would
never say never, but I don’t see myself ever leaving
the college game.
PING!BASEBALL:
Do you ever recommend a top prospect to skip college and
sign a professional contract?
FORBES:
There are times where you tell a young man he may want to
look seriously at what the club is offering him. I try to
always put the kids best interest in front of UNC baseball.
Obviously we want our recruits to come to school, but we
also want what is best for them.
PING!BASEBALL:
You’ve had top ten rated recruiting classes the last
couple of years. What is the main reason why a student athlete
should choose UNC?
FORBES:
The degree, beautiful campus, great facilities and a great
social atmosphere!
PING!BASEBALL:
You’ve helped a number of pitchers blossom into the
professional ranks, with the most recognizable being former
first round draft pick and Baseball America’s 2006
College Player of the Year, Andrew Miller and emerging Twins
pitcher Kevin Slowey while you were at Winthrop. Do you
still stay in contact with former hurlers and give them
advice when they are in a slump?
FORBES:
Yes I stay in touch with all those guys - they are great
friends. I don’t give them much advice unless they
ask for it. I am the one usually asking them for advice.
PING!BASEBALL:
The Heels have made three straight CWS appearances but haven’t
been fortunate enough to be the last team standing. UNC
is an early favorite to return to Omaha once again this
June. If you do make it back to the Series will you do anything
different.
FORBES:
Not really. I feel like we have played more relaxed each
year out there and concentrated on one game at a time. You
have to have some luck out there and you have to be playing
well in all phases to be the last one standing.
PING!BASEBALL:
There are a number of UNC pitchers who are getting some
deserved preseason accolades based on the numbers they compiled
last season. Who are some UNC players who are flying under
the radar who are going to be contributors this season?
FORBES:
Patrick Johnson, Logan Munson, Nate Striz, Ryan Leach, Bryant
Gaines and Garrett Davis - all these guys will pitch for
us and have the ability to help us win.
PING!BASEBALL:
As a top recruiter and pitching coach you’ve got to
have a number of athletic directors wondering if you’re
considering taking a head coaching position. Has Coach Fox
been taking you out to dinner often and offering to wash
your car to keep you at Carolina?
FORBES:
I love being at UNC and am very fortunate to be surrounded
with great people and great kids.
PING!BASEBALL:
As a baseball coach you spend a good amount of time on the
road. What is your staple traveling food?
FORBES:
Coffee, Protein Bars and Smoothie King Smoothies!!
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