Virginia baseball has made a significant move by hiring Chris Pollard as its new head coach, replacing the legendary Brian O’Connor who departed last month for Mississippi State. The announcement came on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, marking a new chapter for the Cavaliers as they aim to maintain their status as a perennial powerhouse in college baseball.
Pollard arrives in Charlottesville after an impressive 13-year tenure at Duke University, where he transformed the Blue Devils’ baseball program into a respected national contender. Under his leadership, Duke achieved a record 420 wins, making him the winningest coach in program history. His teams earned seven NCAA tournament berths, reached four Super Regional appearances, and claimed two ACC Baseball Tournament championships in 2021 and 2024. Notably, Pollard led Duke to its first-ever 40-win seasons in 2018, 2024, and 2025, showcasing his ability to build sustained success.
During the 2025 season, Pollard’s Blue Devils finished with a 41-21 record and hosted their first-ever NCAA Super Regional at Jack Coombs Field, a milestone facilitated by facility upgrades initiated under his guidance. Although Duke fell just short of advancing to the College World Series, losing a hard-fought three-game series to Murray State, the season capped off a historic run for the program.
“Coach Pollard’s impact over the past 13 years has been nothing short of transformational,” said Duke athletics director Nina King. “He built a championship-caliber program grounded in integrity, resilience and the development of outstanding student-athletes. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and the legacy he leaves behind.”
Pollard’s coaching journey began in 1997 as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Davidson College, his alma mater. He earned his first head coaching position at Division II Pfeiffer University, where he spent five seasons (2000-2004) steadily improving the program and leading the Falcons to their winningest season in school history in 2004. He then took the helm at Appalachian State (2005-2012), transforming a struggling program into a competitive force. His 2012 Mountaineers won their first conference championship since 1987 and advanced to the NCAA postseason for the first time since 1986.
Pollard’s success at Appalachian State included a notable Charlottesville Regional appearance in 2012, where his team upset Virginia before falling to Oklahoma in the regional championship game. This performance caught the attention of Duke, who hired him to revive their baseball program in 2013.
At Duke, Pollard quickly ended a 55-year NCAA Tournament drought by guiding the Blue Devils to postseason play in 2016. From then on, Duke became a consistent presence in the NCAA tournaments, reaching six NCAA Tournaments and four Super Regionals in seven years. Despite falling short of the College World Series, Pollard’s teams consistently challenged the nation’s best, including multiple matchups against eventual champions.
Pollard’s coaching prowess extends beyond wins and losses. During his Duke tenure, he coached 46 Major League Baseball Draft picks, 28 All-ACC selections, nine Freshman All-Americans, and seven All-Americans. His ability to develop talent and build deep, competitive rosters has been widely praised.
In his final seasons at Duke, Pollard’s teams set program records, including back-to-back 40-win campaigns and consecutive seasons breaking the home run record, with a program-best 115 homers in 2024. His leadership also helped secure vital investments in Duke’s baseball facilities, including a multi-year renovation plan for Jack Coombs Field, completed in time for the 2025 postseason hosting.
Pollard’s move to Virginia represents a rare ACC-to-ACC coaching transition. He inherits a Cavaliers program with a rich history, including six College World Series appearances and the 2015 national championship under Brian O’Connor’s 22-year leadership. O’Connor amassed a 917-388-2 record, making the task of following him a formidable challenge.
“I am so grateful for my time at Duke,” Pollard said in a statement. “Brad Berndt and Kevin White took a chance on a young coach with no major college experience. I am forever appreciative of the opportunity to work at this world class university. Nina King continues to elevate Duke Athletics in so many meaningful ways. I have zero doubt that she will hire a great coach to continue the trajectory of Duke Baseball. I feel truly blessed to coach so many wonderful players and develop relationships with so many truly exceptional people. It has been a blessing for Steph and I to raise our boys in this welcoming community. I am excited for this new adventure at the University of Virginia, but I am leaving a big piece of my heart in Durham.”
Pollard is bringing his full coaching staff to Virginia, including pitching coach Brady Kirkpatrick, hitting coach Eric Tyler, and infielders/recruiting coordinator Derek Simmons. This continuity is expected to help accelerate the Cavaliers’ transition and maintain competitive momentum.
Virginia’s athletic director Carla Williams expressed enthusiasm for the hire, highlighting Pollard’s deep ties to the state and his proven track record. Pollard, a native of Amherst County, Virginia, and a graduate of Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, returns home to lead a program with sky-high expectations.
Pollard’s record against UVA during his Duke years was nearly even, with a 20-21 mark, and in their last 10 matchups, Duke won 7. His familiarity with the ACC and Virginia’s program culture positions him well to navigate the competitive landscape.
While Duke’s baseball season ended just days before the announcement, Pollard’s legacy in Durham is secure. His leadership elevated a once-struggling program into a national contender, and his departure marks the end of an era.
Longtime Duke assistant Josh Jordan is widely expected to succeed Pollard. Jordan spent a decade as Pollard’s top assistant and has been instrumental in recruiting efforts, including contributing to LSU’s 2023 national championship team.
Now, all eyes turn to Charlottesville as Chris Pollard begins his tenure with the Cavaliers. The program faces the challenge of living up to O’Connor’s remarkable legacy, but Pollard’s history of building winning teams and developing talent offers a promising outlook for Virginia baseball’s future.
With a strong infrastructure, solid recruiting base, and committed coaching staff, the Cavaliers look poised to continue competing at the highest levels of college baseball under their new leader.
