Greg Appleton: Columbus State University
Appleton was inducted into the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame in 2020.
Bio updated 8/30/2024
Greg Appleton is most successful baseball coach in Columbus State history.
And the legendary coach has the resume to prove it.
Entering his 28th season of leading the Cougars, he has guided CSU to an NCAA Division II national title in 2002 and national runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2018. In addition, he has taken teams to the postseason 13 times and made four trips to the Division II College World Series. He has also guided the Cougars to two Peach Belt Conference regular-season championships and five tournament titles. His career coaching record with the Cougars is 967-500 following the 2024 season.
He was inducted into the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame in 2020.
“Being a lifelong resident of Atlanta, playing high school, college and coaching only in Georgia, being recognized by the Georgia Dugout Club is the highest honor for me," Appleton said. "When I look at the names of the coaches in the GDC Hall of Fame, it is very humbling to join this group."
Before taking over the Columbus State baseball program, Appleton restarted the Young Harris baseball in program in 1994. He compiled a 127-74 mark in four seasons.
His overall career coaching record stands at 1,140-587 entering the 2025 season. He was born in Chicago but is a lifelong resident of Atlanta.
Appleton’s 2002 national championship team finished the season with a 48-15 record. The Cougars lost in the opening game of the NCAA Division II College World Series to Central Missouri, but they rebounded to win five straight games, including three in their final at-bat. CSU topped national power Cal State-Chico 5-3 in the national championship game.
In 2007 his squad set a school record for wins in a season with a 51-19 mark, advancing to the national championship game before falling to Tampa.
He has been named National Coach of the Year once in 2002. He was also named the South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year in 2007 and the Southeast Regional Coach of the Year in 2018.
Before his days as a collegiate head coach, Appleton was the pitching coach and played a key role in helping Georgia win its only national baseball championship in 1990. As an assistant, he also helped the Bulldogs win the 1987 Southeastern Conference title as Georgia made the NCAA College World Series.
After playing for UGA from 1981-84, Appleton served as a graduate assistant at the university during the 1985 and ’86 seasons.
“I would like to be remembered as a competitor that prepared my team to play their best," Appleton said. "I want my players know they were the source of my success.”