UNC Asheville Appoints Interim Head Baseball Coach

UNC Asheville baseball team practicing on the field

News Summary

The University of North Carolina at Asheville has announced the appointment of Alex Raburn as the interim head baseball coach for the upcoming season. Raburn, who previously served as an infield coach at James Madison University, aims to foster a winning culture and build upon the team’s recent batting success. He replaces Scott Friedholm, who resigned after 11 years as head coach. A national search for a permanent head coach will commence after the season concludes.

Asheville, NC – The University of North Carolina at Asheville has appointed Alex Raburn as the interim head baseball coach for the 2026 season, as announced by the Director of Athletics, Janet R. Cone, on May 23, 2025. Raburn takes over the position following the resignation of Scott Friedholm, who served as head coach for 11 years.

Raburn expressed his commitment to enhancing the program and fostering a winning culture within the Bulldogs roster. His inaugural season on the UNC Asheville coaching staff in 2025 saw considerable success, marked by an uptick in the team’s batting average in conference play. Under his guidance, the team improved its average from .266 in 2024 to .288 in 2025. The Bulldogs also led their conference with the fewest strikeouts, totaling 152

During the 2025 season, players Patrick Gillen and Rylen Stockton significantly contributed to the team’s success. Both players finished in the top 10 for batting average in the league, with Stockton receiving both Second Team All-Conference and All-Freshman honors, showcasing the growth and potential of the UNC Asheville baseball program.

Prior to his time at UNC Asheville, Raburn was an infield coach at James Madison University (JMU) for two seasons. His coaching tenure there was notable, culminating in the team’s advancement to the NCAA Regional Final in 2024. The JMU infield ranked sixth nationally in double plays turned with 52, a figure not matched since 2002. Additionally, the infield at JMU boasted a fielding percentage of .972 for two consecutive seasons, achieving the second-best mark in the program’s history and ranking 21st nationally in double plays turned in 2023.

Raburn’s coaching experience further extends to his tenure as an assistant coach at Rider University, where he was part of the staff during the team’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship victory in 2021, and their subsequent appearance in an NCAA regional.

On the player side, Raburn has a robust background, having played college baseball at the University of North Carolina from 2013 to 2015. He contributed to the team’s record-setting achievements, including a remarkable 59 wins in 2013 that led the team to the College World Series. Additionally, he played at the University of Nebraska in 2017, where he helped the team secure a Big Ten championship.

A national search for a permanent head coach will begin after the conclusion of the 2026 season, as the university seeks to build on the foundation Raburn establishes during his interim tenure. As the program transitions, Janet Cone and Friedholm highlighted the importance of supporting the welfare of student-athletes during this period.

Friedholm, during his time as head coach, recorded a 195-340-1 mark. His most successful season was in 2023, where the Bulldogs achieved a .500 record of 26-26. Under his leadership, the team received 15 All-Conference honors and earned three Big South Conference Sportsmanship Awards in 2015, 2018, and 2022. Cone and Friedholm extended their gratitude for his many contributions to the program throughout his lengthy career.

As the UNC Asheville baseball program gears up for the upcoming season under Raburn’s leadership, the university hopes to not only enhance performance but also cultivate a culture of success that will benefit players and fans alike.