Head coach Chris Pollard announced the elevation of hitting coach Eric Tyler to the third full-time assistant coach for Duke Baseball.

"I am thrilled to welcome Eric to the staff in a full-time capacity," Pollard said. "I am really grateful for the work of the American Baseball Coaches Association and the NCAA as it relates to the third assistant position in Division I Baseball. I am also so appreciative to Nina King for her willingness to fund this vital role for our program. Eric is an extremely talented coach with exceptional people skills. What he accomplished with our hitters last year, setting program records for runs and home runs, speaks volumes. We are all excited for what 2024 has in store."

In his first season as the Blue Devils' hitting coach, Tyler helped Duke to its second-highest win total since Pollard's arrival, guiding the Blue Devils to their third Super Regional in program history. Under Tyler's leadership the Blue Devils' offense shattered multiple Duke records and placed in the top-10 in program lore.

The hire comes after the new NCAA rules went into effect July 1 that transforms the volunteer assistant coach position in all sports into a full-time, paid assistant coach.

During the 2023 season, Duke broke the single-season home run record with 109, passing the 1994 squad who hit 90. The Blue Devils also scored 481 runs, a new program best, while driving in 448 runs to take the top spot in the record books.

Duke ranked third in runs scored in the ACC (481), sixth in hits (649), third in home runs (109), third in RBI (448), fifth in total bases (1,084), first in hit by pitches (104) and fourth in stolen bases (77).

In program history, Tyler's production as hitting coach scattered the record books for the Blue Devils ranking fifth in slugging percentage (.491), first in at bats (2,206), first in runs scored (481), third in hits (617), second in doubles (124), first in home runs (109), first in RBI (448), first in total bases (1,084) and second in walks (296).