Another candidate has bowed out of contention for Auburn’s vacant baseball coaching job.

North Carolina State’s Elliott Avent reportedly interviewed Tuesday with AU athletic director Jay Jacobs. On Wednesday, Avent agreed to a new contract with N.C. State, according to the Raleigh, N.C. News and Observer.

Avent met Wednesday with N.C. State athletic director Lee Fowler and finalized a deal to remain in Raleigh.

“(Auburn) showed interest, but my heart’s with N.C. State,” Avent told the newspaper. “It’s a nice situation there, but we feel so good about all the things happening with our program. There’s so much excitement and so many positives. Now is not the time to walk away.

“Lee (Fowler) and I met, worked out a deal and shook hands on it.”

Last season, Avent agreed on an extension to his original deal. That extention was to run through the 2010 season; Wednesday’s contract replaces that deal.

Avent is the third coach linked to Auburn’s opening to take himself out of the running this month. Baylor coach Steve Smith and Louisville’s Dan McDonnell both spoke to Auburn officials earlier this month in connection with the opening before announcing their plans to stay at their current jobs.

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