UNC Asheville’s head baseball coach, Willie Stewart, announced May 27 his plans to leave the program on June 12.
He is the only coach to lead UNCA to the NCAA baseball tournament, advancing to the 2006 NCAA Clemson Regional, finished with a five-year record of 94-182.

This season’s squad ended UNCA’s worst baseball season with a 15-2 loss to Presbyterian on May 16 at Greenwood Field. The Bulldogs finished 9-42, 5-21, finishing last in the Big South Conference and failing to qualify for the league tournament, which was held in Asheville.
In addition to Stewart’s departure, associate head coach Tim Perry also resigned after his contract expired on May 31.

UNCA Athletic Director Janet Cone said she will meet with part-time assistant coach Tom Smith, who recently completed his second season on Stewart’s staff, as well as considering other candidates.

Cone praised Stewart for laying “a very good foundation” and for recruiting student-athletes who represented UNCA is a positive way.