Columbus State University Athletics

The winningest coach in Columbus State baseball history, Greg Appleton is entering his 29th season at the helm of the Cougars in 2024-25.

With a record of 997-520 with Columbus State, Appleton has established himself as one of the best NCAA Division II coaches in the nation. His overall winning percentage puts him inside the top-20 on the NCAA Division II winningest active coaches list and top-50 of all-time. 

In his 28 years in charge of the CSU program, Appleton has led the Cougars to the 2002 National Championship, national runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2018, 13 NCAA postseason appearances, four Division II College World Series Appearances, two Peach Belt Conference regular season championships and five PBC Tournament championships.

Overall, Appleton holds an overall coaching record of 1,140-587 entering the 2024-25 year.

Appleton led Columbus State to its first ever National Championship in 2002 as the Cougars finished the year with a 48-15 record. In the World Series, the Cougars fell in the opening game to Central Missouri but rebounded to win five straight, including three in their final at-bat. CSU defeated Cal State-Chico 5-3 in the championship game to bring the title home to Columbus.

In 2007, the Cougars set a new school record for victories with a 51-19 mark as Appleton led CSU to the national championship game before falling to Tampa. 

Columbus State had another outstanding season in 2011 as the Cougars won the Peach Belt Conference West Division. The Cougars finished the season with a 32-19 record and advanced to the Southeast Regional for the second consecutive season. 

The Cougars returned to postseason play in 2014 posting a 40-17 mark and reaching the NCAA Tournament Southeast Region final. Appleton coached seven All-PBC players, the most in program history, and recorded the school’s 10th 40-win season. During the year, Appleton recorded a milestone victory recording his 600th career Cougar victory against Francis Marion on March 21. The program also won its 1,500th game during the 2014 season.

CSU put together one of its best seasons under Appleton's watch in 2016. The Cougars won both the PBC regular season and tournament championships and earned the host spot in the NCAA Southeast Regional. The Cougars featured arguably the country's top offense leading the nation in runs and hits, while ranking in the top 10 nationally in runs per game, home runs and slugging percentage.

Appleton and the Cougars were at it again in 2018, matching the second-highest win total in program history with a 48-15 mark. The Cougars received the four seed in the NCAA Southeast Regional, winning their first two games before falling into the loser's bracket. CSU would battle back though, winning three straight games to capture the regional title and a spot in the World Series. Columbus State reached the national championship game for the fourth time in program history, ultimately falling to Augustana.

Appleton has coached nearly 100 All-Conference players, over 20 All-American players and 28 players that have signed professional contracts. In 2014, former Cougar All-American Jason Rogers made his Major League debut becoming the first ever Cougar to play in a MLB game. Kolton Ingram, class of 2019 and CSU all-time career strikeout holder, made his MLB debut in June 2023 with the Angels.

Additionally, Appleton has coached four Peach Belt Players of the Year (Bouras 2000, Pittmon 2004, Rogers 2010, Scott 2013), two Peach Belt Pitchers of the Year (Pierce 1999, Noles 2008), two Peach Belt Freshmen of the Year (Bouras 1998, Bouton 2021) and a NCAA DII Pitcher of the Year (Noles 2008). 

In addition, Appleton was named the National Coach of the Year in 2002, the South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year in 2007 and the Southeast Regional Coach of the Year in 2018.

Before arriving at Columbus State, Appleton restarted the Young Harris baseball program in 1994 leading the Mountain Lions to a 127-74 mark in four seasons.

Prior to assuming his duties at Young Harris, Appleton was an assistant coach at the University of Georgia from 1987-92. He was the pitching coach for the Bulldogs and helped lead the team to the 1990 NCAA National Championship. He also helped guide the Bulldogs to the 1987 Southeastern Conference crown and a trip to Omaha for the NCAA College World Series. 

Appleton worked his way into coaching after serving as a graduate assistant coach for UGA during the 1985 and ’86 seasons. He was a player for the Bulldogs from 1981-84 and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, as well as a Masters of Education in Sports Management, both from UGA. 

Appleton, born in Chicago but a lifelong resident of Atlanta, is married to the former Anne Ferrell of Snellville, Georgia, who works as an Administrative Assistant/Athletics Photographer in the CSU Athletic Department. The Appleton’s have a daughter, Kaylee.

Milestone Victories

• 500th Columbus State victory: March 11, 2011 vs. Ohio Dominican (2-1)

• 600th Columbus State victory: March 21, 2014 vs. Francis Marion (6-4)

• 700th Columbus State victory: February 24, 2017 vs. Georgia Southwestern (8-3)

• 1,000th Career victory: March 19, 2022 vs. Augusta (12-5)

• 900th Columbus State victory: February 5, 2023 vs. West Alabama (12-0)

Appleton's CSU Record Year-By-Year