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3mo ago

Virginia Names Duke’s Chris Pollard Head Baseball Coach

With an 806-614-3 record at Duke, Pollard faces rebuilding a Cavaliers roster thinned by recent player departures.

Jun 9, 2025; Durham, NC, USA; Murray State Head Coach Dan Skirka celebrates a win with Duke Head Coach Chris Pollard after the ninth inning of the Durham Super Regional against Duke at Jack Coombs Field. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Pollard left Duke as its winningest coach with 420 victories and led the team to four NCAA super regionals, including a 41-21 finish this season.
  • He replaces Brian O’Connor, who departed on June 1 after 22 seasons with Virginia to take the head coaching job at Mississippi State.
  • Before arriving at Duke in 2013, Pollard coached at Pfeiffer University and Appalachian State, contributing to his overall 806-614-3 career record.
  • His full Duke staff, including recruiting coordinator Derek Simmons, is expected to relocate with him to Charlottesville.
  • Virginia’s roster faces gaps as several players have either followed O’Connor to Mississippi State or entered the transfer portal.