Elliott Avent: ‘Kentucky blue’s a better blue than I look at where I come from’

Whatever your thoughts about Elliott Avent’s coaching abilities, you can’t deny that the man is every bit the hardcore Wolfpacker as the rest of us. Avent was asked about Kentucky’s fan support last night, which prompted the following remark, which was both diplomatic and a little dig at UNC:

If college baseball got the media attention year-round that it gets this month, I suspect Avent would be a lot more popular among State fans, mainly for off-the-cuff comments like this one. The man is an NC State lifer and he is never shy about showing it, and that makes him a good dude as far as I’m concerned.

This is one reason why I give him the benefit of the doubt even when his on-field decisions are wrong-headed or otherwise confusing. Another reason I cut him slack is that he’s, y’know, good at his job. Don’t let all the bunts in the world confuse that fact.