Georgia Southern University Women's Track

Carter was announced as Georgia Southern's new Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach by Director of Athletics Tom Kleinlein on July 17th, 2014. The three-time All-American and all-SEC selection Carter brings a combination of experience as a world-class athlete and as a veteran coach to the Eagle program. Carter has more than 15 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level as well as serving as a coach for the U.S. Paralympic Games following an outstanding career as a competitor. A veteran coach and former world-class athlete, Kelly Carter will convert the potential of our Eagle cross country and  track and field programs to a higher level of success, said Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Tom Kleinlein. His commitment to his student-athletes and their performances both in competition and in the classroom is in alignment with our mission of rings and diplomas. We are excited to have him join our department and help our Eagles become leaders in the Sun Belt Conference. Carter comes to Georgia Southern after three years as an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State, working primarily with the Blue Raider sprinters and hurdlers. His student-athletes recorded more than 60 individual personal bests during the 2013-14 indoor and outdoor seasons. Prior to joining the MTSU staff, he served for 11 years as the head coach of the Mens Track and Field program at Tennessee State from 2000-2011. During his tenure in Nashville, Tennessee, more than 40 Tigers were crowned Ohio Valley Conference champions including Nick Horton, Chris Howell and Buford Williams winning multiple events or posting back-to-back titles. Horton was named a two-time athlete of the year for the OVC Indoor Championships and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the No. 16 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, was selected as OVC Indoor Championship MVP in 2007. Rodgers-Cromartie is the current starting cornerback for the New York Giants. Joining the coaching ranks as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, Auburn, he spent two years under the tutelage of longtime Tiger coaching greats Mel Rosen and Ralph Spry. He was part of the staff for Auburns fourth place NCAA-finish in 1999 and third-place finish in 2000. Carter brought a combination of first-hand experience and love for the sport to his new profession, less than a decade after he earned distinction for the Tigers as a three-time NCAA All-American, four-time All-Southeastern Conference selection and two-time Penn Relay champion. The 1999 SEC champion in the 400m Hurdles, he would capture third place in the NCAA Championships that same year. His experiences at elite international competitions also provided a foundation for both his racing and coaching success. A member of the U.S. Junior National team, he traveled to Cuba and Vancouver, Canada, prior to beginning his freshman year at Auburn. Recording the fifth-best 400m Hurdle and sixth-best 110m Hurdle times in Tiger history in his first outdoor season, Carter participated in the 1988 Olympic Trials in the 400m Hurdles, advancing to the quarterfinals. He competed at the Indy trials for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team against the likes of eventual gold medalist Andre Phillips and bronze medalist Edwin Moses. Carter also represented the United States at the Junior World Championships in Sudbury, Ontario, later that summer and claimed the gold medal in the 400m intermediate hurdles. His time of 49.50 was more than a full second faster than his nearest competitor. The Atlanta native was a standout at Southwest DeKalb High School, setting numerous school, county and state records. His 110-meter state record stood for more than a decade before being broken by Terrance Tremmell, followed shortly by his 300-meter state record falling to Angelo Taylor. Both record-breaking student-athletes graduated from Southwest DeKalb and went on to win medals in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Carter earned his bachelor of science degree in communications from Auburn and his Masters in sports administration from Tennessee State. He is married to the former Angie Johnson, an Auburn All-American as a member of the Tigers 4x100m Relay team. They have two children, Kyle and Haley. Kelly Carter Head Coach Kelly Carter was announced as Georgia Southern's new Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach by Director of Athletics Tom Kleinlein on July 17th, 2014. The three-time All-American and all-SEC selection Carter brings a combination of experience as a world-class athlete and as a veteran coach to the Eagle program. Carter has more than 15 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level as well as serving as a coach for the U.S. Paralympic Games following an outstanding career as a competitor. A veteran coach and former world-class athlete, Kelly Carter will convert the potential of our Eagle cross country and  track and field programs to a higher level of success, said Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Tom Kleinlein. His commitment to his student-athletes and their performances both in competition and in the classroom is in alignment with our mission of rings and diplomas. We are excited to have him join our department and help our Eagles become leaders in the Sun Belt Conference. Carter comes to Georgia Southern after three years as an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State, working primarily with the Blue Raider sprinters and hurdlers. His student-athletes recorded more than 60 individual personal bests during the 2013-14 indoor and outdoor seasons. Prior to joining the MTSU staff, he served for 11 years as the head coach of the Mens Track and Field program at Tennessee State from 2000-2011. During his tenure in Nashville, Tennessee, more than 40 Tigers were crowned Ohio Valley Conference champions including Nick Horton, Chris Howell and Buford Williams winning multiple events or posting back-to-back titles. Horton was named a two-time athlete of the year for the OVC Indoor Championships and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the No. 16 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, was selected as OVC Indoor Championship MVP in 2007. Rodgers-Cromartie is the current starting cornerback for the New York Giants. Joining the coaching ranks as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, Auburn, he spent two years under the tutelage of longtime Tiger coaching greats Mel Rosen and Ralph Spry. He was part of the staff for Auburns fourth place NCAA-finish in 1999 and third-place finish in 2000. Carter brought a combination of first-hand experience and love for the sport to his new profession, less than a decade after he earned distinction for the Tigers as a three-time NCAA All-American, four-time All-Southeastern Conference selection and two-time Penn Relay champion. The 1999 SEC champion in the 400m Hurdles, he would capture third place in the NCAA Championships that same year. His experiences at elite international competitions also provided a foundation for both his racing and coaching success. A member of the U.S. Junior National team, he traveled to Cuba and Vancouver, Canada, prior to beginning his freshman year at Auburn. Recording the fifth-best 400m Hurdle and sixth-best 110m Hurdle times in Tiger history in his first outdoor season, Carter participated in the 1988 Olympic Trials in the 400m Hurdles, advancing to the quarterfinals. He competed at the Indy trials for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team against the likes of eventual gold medalist Andre Phillips and bronze medalist Edwin Moses. Carter also represented the United States at the Junior World Championships in Sudbury, Ontario, later that summer and claimed the gold medal in the 400m intermediate hurdles. His time of 49.50 was more than a full second faster than his nearest competitor. The Atlanta native was a standout at Southwest DeKalb High School, setting numerous school, county and state records. His 110-meter state record stood for more than a decade before being broken by Terrance Tremmell, followed shortly by his 300-meter state record falling to Angelo Taylor. Both record-breaking student-athletes graduated from Southwest DeKalb and went on to win medals in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Carter earned his bachelor of science degree in communications from Auburn and his Masters in sports administration from Tennessee State. He is married to the former Angie Johnson, an Auburn All-American as a member of the Tigers 4x100m Relay team. They have two children, Kyle and Haley.

Holmes joins the Georgia Southern Track and Field and Cross Country program in August 2014 after spending five years as an assistant at Tennessee State, including two with Coach Kelly Carter, and this past year at Middle Tennessee State. Holmes, a former sprinter at Tennessee State, will coach the Eagles in distance events. Coach Holmes brings considerable knowledge to our distance program as a USA Track and Field Level II certified endurance coach, said Georgia Southern Coach Kelly Carter. As one of my former student-athletes, Franz understands the approach it takes to build a team atmosphere. His tireless dedication in recruiting is going to be a great benefit to the program. While Holmes was part of both the MTSU and TSU coaching staffs, 99 student-athletes were conference finalists with 26 winning individual titles. In the extremely competitive East Region, 19 qualified for the NCAA preliminary round with seven advancing to NCAA competition and two earning All-America honors. At Tennessee State from 2009-2013, Holmes was responsible for recruiting and training student-athletes in the sprints, hurdles, middle-distance racing events as well as multi-event performers. In addition, he assisted with the academic and compliance aspects of the Tigers programs as well as coordinating practices, home meets and monitoring the strength and conditioning program. He reunited with Coach Carter at Middle Tennessee State for the 2013-2014 season. A member of the United States Paralympic Staff with Coach Carter since 2011, he has helped coach three Paralympic national champions and two 2012 finalists. Franz earned USA Track and Field Level I certification in 2010 and added Level II certification in Sprints and Hurdles in 2013. His most recent certification, in Endurance was completed earlier this summer. He also possesses USA Weightlifting Level I Sport Performance certification and is a U.S. Paralympic guide runner for visually impaired athletes. His background also includes a two-year internship with Tennessee State strength and conditioning program where he assisted with the preparation of workouts for the Tiger track and football teams. Holmes is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Exercise Science and served as an instructor for the Tennessee State Universitys Health and Human Sports Science program in addition to coaching the Tigers. From Nashville, Tennessee, he attended Tennessee State on a full Presidential Scholarship and graduated with honors with his bachelors degree in Exercise Science in 2008. He completed his masters degree in Exercise Science in 2010. A former walk-on, he was named captain of the Tigers team his final year, advanced to the 400m finals at the Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Championships, and was the Tennessee State nominee for the 2008 OVC scholar-athlete award. Franz Holmes Assistant Coach Franz Holmes joins the Georgia Southern Track and Field and Cross Country program in August 2014 after spending five years as an assistant at Tennessee State, including two with Coach Kelly Carter, and this past year at Middle Tennessee State. Holmes, a former sprinter at Tennessee State, will coach the Eagles in distance events. Coach Holmes brings considerable knowledge to our distance program as a USA Track and Field Level II certified endurance coach, said Georgia Southern Coach Kelly Carter. As one of my former student-athletes, Franz understands the approach it takes to build a team atmosphere. His tireless dedication in recruiting is going to be a great benefit to the program. While Holmes was part of both the MTSU and TSU coaching staffs, 99 student-athletes were conference finalists with 26 winning individual titles. In the extremely competitive East Region, 19 qualified for the NCAA preliminary round with seven advancing to NCAA competition and two earning All-America honors. At Tennessee State from 2009-2013, Holmes was responsible for recruiting and training student-athletes in the sprints, hurdles, middle-distance racing events as well as multi-event performers. In addition, he assisted with the academic and compliance aspects of the Tigers programs as well as coordinating practices, home meets and monitoring the strength and conditioning program. He reunited with Coach Carter at Middle Tennessee State for the 2013-2014 season. A member of the United States Paralympic Staff with Coach Carter since 2011, he has helped coach three Paralympic national champions and two 2012 finalists. Franz earned USA Track and Field Level I certification in 2010 and added Level II certification in Sprints and Hurdles in 2013. His most recent certification, in Endurance was completed earlier this summer. He also possesses USA Weightlifting Level I Sport Performance certification and is a U.S. Paralympic guide runner for visually impaired athletes. His background also includes a two-year internship with Tennessee State strength and conditioning program where he assisted with the preparation of workouts for the Tiger track and football teams. Holmes is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Exercise Science and served as an instructor for the Tennessee State Universitys Health and Human Sports Science program in addition to coaching the Tigers. From Nashville, Tennessee, he attended Tennessee State on a full Presidential Scholarship and graduated with honors with his bachelors degree in Exercise Science in 2008. He completed his masters degree in Exercise Science in 2010. A former walk-on, he was named captain of the Tigers team his final year, advanced to the 400m finals at the Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Championships, and was the Tennessee State nominee for the 2008 OVC scholar-athlete award.

Cox, an NCAA All-American in the Shot Put and Sun Belt Conference champion in both the Shot Put and Weight Throw, will coach the Georgia Southern throwers, as announced Track and Field and Cross Country Coach Kelly Carter in August 2014. She became Middle Tennessee States first female thrower to earn All-America accolades and still owns two indoor and two outdoor MTSU records. Coach Cox will infuse energy and enthusiasm into our throws program, said Georgia Southern Coach Kelly Carter. With her experience as an NCAA All-American, she has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to compete at the highest levels of our sport. I am truly excited about our talented staff and eager to begin what I anticipate will be a strong showing in our first year in the Sun Belt Conference. In her senior year, Cox was the 2010 Penn Relays champion in the Hammer Throw and Discus and finished third in the Shot Put, setting Sun Belt and Middle Tennessee State records in that event. Her 16.49m mark (54-1.25) moved her to a No. 10 national ranking in the Shot Put and she added to that with a 16.55m distance at the NCAA East Region Preliminaries. She would become the first Blue Raider female thrower to earn All-America honors with her eighth-place finish in the Shot Put at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. That same year, Cox was an NCAA indoor finalist in the Weight Throw and Shot Put and also qualified for the Outdoor East Regional Preliminary in the Hammer Throw. Cox brought home five Sun Belt Conference individual championship trophies in 2010, as well being voted the Sun Belt Conference Womens Field Athlete of the Year for the 2010 Indoor Championships. Cox joins Georgia Southern after serving for the last three years as a recreational leader at Napier Community Center and Hadley Regional Center, both in Nashville, Tennessee. She assisted with coaching duties at McGavock High School, also in Nashville, during the Raiders 2012-13 season. From Antioch, Tennessee, Cox was a four-sport athlete at Glencliff High School, earning letters in volleyball, softball, basketball and track and field. She was named the District MVP in volleyball and Offensive Player of the Year and MVP for the Colts softball team. Cox earned her bachelors degree in Exercise Science from Middle Tennessee State in 2011. She continues to compete at the national and international level. Brittany Cox Assistant Coach Brittany Cox, an NCAA All-American in the Shot Put and Sun Belt Conference champion in both the Shot Put and Weight Throw, will coach the Georgia Southern throwers, as announced Track and Field and Cross Country Coach Kelly Carter in August 2014. She became Middle Tennessee States first female thrower to earn All-America accolades and still owns two indoor and two outdoor MTSU records. Coach Cox will infuse energy and enthusiasm into our throws program, said Georgia Southern Coach Kelly Carter. With her experience as an NCAA All-American, she has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to compete at the highest levels of our sport. I am truly excited about our talented staff and eager to begin what I anticipate will be a strong showing in our first year in the Sun Belt Conference. In her senior year, Cox was the 2010 Penn Relays champion in the Hammer Throw and Discus and finished third in the Shot Put, setting Sun Belt and Middle Tennessee State records in that event. Her 16.49m mark (54-1.25) moved her to a No. 10 national ranking in the Shot Put and she added to that with a 16.55m distance at the NCAA East Region Preliminaries. She would become the first Blue Raider female thrower to earn All-America honors with her eighth-place finish in the Shot Put at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. That same year, Cox was an NCAA indoor finalist in the Weight Throw and Shot Put and also qualified for the Outdoor East Regional Preliminary in the Hammer Throw. Cox brought home five Sun Belt Conference individual championship trophies in 2010, as well being voted the Sun Belt Conference Womens Field Athlete of the Year for the 2010 Indoor Championships. Cox joins Georgia Southern after serving for the last three years as a recreational leader at Napier Community Center and Hadley Regional Center, both in Nashville, Tennessee. She assisted with coaching duties at McGavock High School, also in Nashville, during the Raiders 2012-13 season. From Antioch, Tennessee, Cox was a four-sport athlete at Glencliff High School, earning letters in volleyball, softball, basketball and track and field. She was named the District MVP in volleyball and Offensive Player of the Year and MVP for the Colts softball team. Cox earned her bachelors degree in Exercise Science from Middle Tennessee State in 2011. She continues to compete at the national and international level.