Baseball’s head coach Chris Pollard resigned Thursday to accept the head coaching position at Duke University, according to a news release from sports information.

“His track record speaks volumes about his dramatic impact on the Appalachian State baseball program…We are absolutely thrilled with the appointment of Chris Pollard,” Duke Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin White said in a news release from Duke.

Pollard said he “couldn’t be more thrilled” to work as Duke’s new head baseball coach.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me professionally, but just as importantly, it’s a tremendous opportunity for my family,” Coach Pollard said.

“We are all four — myself, my wife and my two sons — ecstatic to be joining the Duke family.”

ASU baseball’s assistant coach Josh Jordan will also join Pollard’s staff at Duke.

Director of Athletics Charlie Cobb said a national search for Pollard’s replacement will begin immediately.

“Duke is getting a terrific baseball coach and an even better person,” Cobb said.

“While we’re disappointed to lose a top-notch coach and role model for our student-athletes, I am very happy for Chris.”

Cobb also said Pollard had left the baseball program in “terrific shape” for the next coach.

Pollard’s final season at Appalachian was the baseball team’s finest season in its history. The team set a program record with its 41-18 overall record. The team also won the SoCon championship with a 21-9 league mark.

Pollard finished at Appalachian with a 244-210-2 record after eight years.

He maintains the second-highest victory total in the baseball team’s history, following current Mountaineer baseball radio analyst Jim Morris who has 611 wins.

Story: ANNE BUIE, Managing Editor