Kellogg Becomes Winningest Swim Coach at Georgia Southern
5/30/2012 7:42:12 AM | Swimming and Diving
Statesboro, Ga. - Georgia Southern Swimming and Diving Head Coach Nathan Kellogg became the school's all-time winningest swim coach, reaching a total of 74 dual-meet wins at the end of the 2011-12 season. The Sandston, Va., product has led the resurgence for Georgia Southern Swimming and Diving as the Eagles have been successful in both the pool and the classroom, posting eight straight winning seasons and earning national honors for academic excellence.
"Being the winningest swimming and diving coach at Georgia Southern University is certainly an honor, but it's definitely not about me," said Kellogg. "The outstanding student-athletes we have been able to work with and develop are the sole reason behind this accomplishment. A coach is only as good as his or her student-athletes and I have been very fortunate for the opportunity to coach some outstanding young women over the years and I look forward to their continued success."
The previous record was held by former Eagle Swimming alum and coach Scott Farmer who compiled his 67 dual-meet win total in nine seasons at the helm of the program. Kellogg surpassed the record in January 2012 and added six more victories to his total by season's end.
While Coach Kellogg's record milestone now becomes part of history, he is quick to point out the accomplishments of his team. This season alone, Georgia Southern tied the highest-ever finish in the Coastal Swimming Association CCSA championships, capturing third. Nineteen Eagles appeared at the awards podium for top-three finishes in individual and relay events, including three conference champions. In addition to the wins in the lanes, nine University records fell during the 2011-12 season as the record book has been completely rewritten since Kellogg took over the program.
Recognition for academic success draws a perfect parallel to the Eagles' efforts in the water. Georgia Southern has been on the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America team for each of the eight semesters the awards have been presented. The CSCAA lists all NCAA Division I programs by grade point average once a semester with the Eagles earning a higher ranking than Duke, ULCA and Texas for Fall 2011.
"Nate has done an outstanding job of leading our swimming and diving program in his eight-year tenure," said Georgia Southern's Director of Athletics Sam Baker. "It was a great pleasure to present him with the commemorative recognition of his becoming the winningest swimming and diving coach in our history."
Starting his career with the Eagles as an assistant coach, Kellogg was named the interim head coach for the 2004-05 season and promoted permanently to the head coaching position in June of 2005. Kellogg recently added a master's degree in Sport Management from Georgia Southern to his résumé, balancing his time coaching and recruiting with his own studies.
A 2004 graduate of George Mason University, Kellogg was a four-year letterwinner and helped the Patriots to a second-place finish in the Colonial Athletic Association Championship. He twice advanced to the CAA championship finals in the 100-yard backstroke.
