University of North Carolina pitching coach Scott Forbes has made his name in the Tar Heel state but also has roots in our state after a three-year stint as an assistant at Winthrop. He has recently tutored his share of 1st Round arms over the past three seasons at Chapel Hill that narrowly saw them fall short for a National Championship during each trip out west…but they sure were close. In his chat with DP, he talks about the College World Series, the route he took to his current post and baseball in general.
DP-How many years have you been in coaching? What got you into the business?
SF-This will be my 12th season coaching, kind of hard to believe. I started coaching as a student assistant in 1998 at North Carolina Wesleyan just to see if I would like it. I really enjoyed that year and came to UNC with Coach Fox in 1998-1999 and have been coaching ever since then.
DP-What is the most rewarding thing about being a baseball coach?
SF-The most rewarding thing for me is trying to help young men develop as players and as people. The relationships you make in coaching last a lifetime.
DP-What does the term "coach" mean to you?
SF- ‘Coach’ to me would mean leadership and development.
DP-What is something you wish everyone knew about your profession?
SF-The time that all of us put in behind the scenes that no one sees.
DP-We all know there is very little money in getting started in coaching at the college level yet the time involved is mind-boggling, why did you do it?
SF-Man- I know exactly what you are saying- especially after being a volunteer coach for 4 years. I did it because I love the game of baseball and wanted to stay involved in the game as much as I could.
DP: How do you balance the time demands of coaching and your family?
SF-I don’t sleep much- HAHA-but you do have to make sacrifices and give some things up. With two little girls I don’t have time for golf like I used to. Basically I try to get up early before my family wakes up and do some work at my home office-spend some time with the fam than head to work. When I get home at night, I do my best to spend time with them and do more work after they go to bed. I also have the best wife in the World, which really helps when you are a coach!!
DP-When you hear the expression "old school baseball", what does that phrase mean to you?
SF-Hustle and playing hard at all times.
DP-What is the definition of a "student-athlete"?
SF-An athlete who goes to college to compete in his or her sport and pursue a college degree.
DP-You are no stranger to Omaha! Describe the experience to us and what it feels like to play for a National Championship:
SF-Omaha is an unbelievable place. I grew up watching the CWS and always dreamed what it would be like to be there. The passion for baseball out there is unreal and to coach and watch our guys compete on that National stage is so rewarding because I know how much time the players put in to get to Omaha. Playing for a National Championship was such a thrill, and although we did not win it I still appreciate the fact that we got there 2 years in a row. I also realize how hard it is to get there and how much we should enjoy the experience.
DP-You played for Mike Fox and now coach with him. Tell us a little bit about him and talk about the relationship you guys share:
SF-I loved every minute of my time at North Carolina Wesleyan playing for Coach Fox. It has been neat to go from player to coach in our relationship. We have a great relationship and we both take great pride in working hard every day to help UNC Baseball get better in any way possible.
DP-You serve as the Tar Heels pitching coach and your pupils have certainly excelled, but you were not always a pitching coach. Tell us how you have evolved as a coach and who you drew from to learn your niche.
SF-I have been very fortunate to work with so many great coaches. My High School Coach Charlie Spivey was and is a great coach and mentor. Every coach I have worked for or worked with have been great friends and people (Joe Hudak, Mike Fox, Chad Holbrook,Roger Williams, Jason Howell, Matt McCay, Scott Jackson, Kyle DiEduardo) and I gathered so much knowledge from all of them. I really learned a lot from Roger Williams about the pitching side of things during my 4 years of being the volunteer at UNC. Roger really knows the game and was very good at paying attention to detail. I still try to learn as much as I can at Coaching Clinics and Conventions. I firmly believe that there is no one certain way when it comes to pitching, I think you take what an individual kid has and go from there-there is way too much over-coaching and ‘guru’ coaches out there for me.
DP-What is your most memorable experience as a baseball coach?
SF-Well I have two that really stick out. Flack’s HR to send us to Omaha against Alabama at Alabama, and winning our last game at the Old Boshamer Stadium which sent us to Omaha 2 years in a row before they tore it down to build our new stadium-to send the ‘Old Bosh’ out like that in front of our home crowd was very special.
DP-What has it been like to deal with the building of a new stadium and not have a "home field" for a season?
SF-It has been tough and has presented many challenges, but we were very fortunate to have the USA complex in Cary and East Chapel Hill High School for practice. Our guys have also had great attitudes about it. The town of Cary really took us in this past season, really making us feel like we had a Home Field.
DP-Who has made the greatest impression on you as a baseball coach and why?
SF-Mike Fox-playing for Coach Fox taught me discipline and accountability. Seeing his work ethic and passion for college baseball taught me what it takes to have success as a player and coach.
DP-Who are the best three players you have coached against?
SF-Yonder Alonzo – Buster Posey – Khalil Greene
DP-Make your case for why the ACC is the best conference in the country:
SF-The ACC had been very well-represented the last 3 years sending 8 teams to Omaha in those 3 years.
DP-What does it mean to be a good teammate and is that important?
SF-Being a good teammate means putting the team in front of your personal goals- always putting the team first.
DP-Do you have any superstitions? If so, what?
SF-I don’t have many, but I do have routines!!
DP-What do you see as the biggest difference in high school-aged players today versus when you played?
SF-I think today’s high school kids are playing more travel ball and are getting much more exposure, as well as specializing in one sport. When I was in high school, everyone tried to play all 3 sports.
DP-Now switching gears, think back to your days as a baseball player, please list any notable accolades:
SF-Played in the Division 3 College World Series and broke the National Doubles record in a season in my senior year.
DP-What is your greatest high school thrill?
SF-Beating Scotland County High School football-it was a huge game, and honestly I liked playing high school football more than baseball at the time.
DP-What is your greatest thrill, or two, beyond high school?
SF-OMAHA and being in the dugout watching our guys celebrate after Flack’s bomb sent us there-I will never forget that feeling.
DP-Who was the best player you played against?
SF-Billy Wagner-not even close.
DP-Who has made the greatest impression on you as a person and why?
SF-My Dad-he has always been a leader by example and taught me how important integrity and character are. He also has great faith and truly is a man of honor.
DP-What MLB feat in history do you wish you’d been inside the stadium to witness and why?
SF-Sid Bream scoring from 2nd base when the Braves beat the Pirates to go to the World Series-I love the Braves and thought that was awesome.
DP-Who is you favorite athlete outside of baseball?
SF-Tiger Woods-how he does it over and over under that pressure is amazing.
DP-Who is your favorite MLB pitcher and position player to watch and why?
SF-Kevin Slowey, Andrew Miller and Chris Ianetta-because I was lucky enough to coach them all.
DP-Who is your favorite MLB team?
SF-Braves
DP-What is your favorite sport to play other than baseball?
SF-Golf
DP-What is your favorite sport to watch other than baseball?
SF-Football
DP-What are some of your hobbies?
SF-Exercise/Fitness and playing with my daughter.
DP-What is your favorite movie?
SF-Forrest Gump
DP-Who is your favorite actor? Actress?
SF-Tom Hanks and Jennifer Aniston
DP-What is your favorite meal?
SF-OutBack Special
DP-What is something people don’t know about you?
SF-I watch HGN- the Home Garden Network
DP-If you could have dinner with some people in history, who would they be and why?
SF-Vince Lombardi, George Patton
DP-Where do you see yourself in ten years?
SF-Hopefully as a head coach at a great University.
DP-What is your opinion on the new rules that the NCAA recently adopted in regards to roster limitations, the APR and the 25% scholarship rule?
SF-BAD-BAD-BAD-
DP-Give a high school player who is reading this article one piece of advice.
SF-Bring it every day and focus on getting better one day at a time.
DP-We really appreciate your taking some time for Diamond Prospects and wish you continued success in the Tar Heel state.