Virginia baseball head coach Chris Pollard announced on Aug. 21, 2026, that Eric Tyler has been promoted to associate head coach. Tyler had previously served as hitting coach and recruiting coordinator.
In his first season on Grounds, Tyler oversaw a Cavalier offense that rewrote the UVA record book by hitting 98 home runs during the 2026 campaign, the second-most in program history. Tyler’s offense also claimed all-time top 10 marks in home runs per game (1.63/2nd), slugging percentage (.488/6th), runs (481/7th), runs per game (8/7th), RBIs (442/7th), and total bases (987/7th).
Under Tyler’s tutelage, UVA outfielder AJ Gracia claimed three All-American honors before being selected ninth overall by the Atlanta Braves in July’s Major League Baseball Draft. Gracia became the 17th Cavalier to be selected in the first round and the first to go in the top 10 since Pavin Smith and Adam Haseley went eighth and ninth overall in 2017.
Also under his guidance, Eric Becker earned third team All-ACC honors and was selected 58th overall by the Cincinnati Reds, while Joe Tiroly led UVA with 16 home runs in 2026 en route to being drafted 215th overall by the San Diego Padres.
Under the tutelage of Tyler, the 2025 Duke squad set school records in runs (516), home runs (115), RBIs (488) and walks (408).
During his first two seasons with the Blue Devils, Tyler coached three freshman All-Americans, one All-American, five All-ACC recipients, eight regional or ACC Championship members, and two regional or ACC Championship Most Outstanding Players. Duke also sent freshmen AJ Gracia and Kyle Johnson (Utility) to the US Collegiate National Team Training Camp during the summer of 2024.
In 2024, the Blue Devils offense was once again record-shattering, setting new program bests in runs (501), home runs (115), RBI (467), and total bases (1,138). Under Tyler’s guidance, freshman AJ Gracia became the program leader in RBI by a freshman, surpassing big leaguer Joey Loperfido with 58. Gracia also moved into first all-time by a freshman with 14 home runs during his rookie campaign.
When Tyler arrived in Durham, Duke’s offense exploded during the 2023 season, recording 2,206 at-bats, the program-best at-bats, 481 runs scored, 617 hits, 124 doubles, and a program-record 109 home runs.
Prior to Duke, Tyler spent four years as the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Teams with Baseball Rebellion.
A graduate of East Carolina University, Tyler started at third base for the Pirates from 2015-17. During his time in Greenville, the Landis, N.C. native compiled a .296 average in 219 career games. He drove in 107 RBI, 43 doubles, walked 72 times, stole 16 bases, and gathered 57 extra base hits, including 14 home runs. A First Team All-AAC recipient in 2017, Tyler was an East Carolina team captain during the 2016-17 season. Following his graduation from ECU, he joined the Pirates coaching staff under Cliff Godwin.