AUGUSTA, Ga – Augusta University Athletics has named Jacob Burgamy as head coach of the Augusta Cross Country and Track & Field Programs after serving on an interim basis since the fall.

"Getting to be the head coach at a place where I also competed as an athlete has been a dream scenario and everyone has treated me so well," said Burgamy. "So it goes without saying that I am really excited about having the opportunity to continue coaching these men and women and being a part of this athletic department. Augusta has a very strong tradition in track/xc and I think with all of the support we've been receiving from President Keel, Ryan Erlacher, and the rest of the athletic department that we have a ton of potential to grow and build even more on that tradition. I couldn't be happier to have the opportunity to be a part of us building this program into something even greater than what it already is."

Burgamy stepped into the interim head coach role in fall of 2022 after the departure of long time head coach Adam Ward. During his short time with Augusta, the cross country programs have seen unprecedented success.

In the fall, the men's cross country team won its fourth straight Peach Belt Conference championship. The Jaguars turned in a perfect team score of 15, taking the top five scoring places and sending the first six runners across the line.

Augusta senior Kai Brickey became the sixth PBC men's runner to repeat as individual champion. Patrick Motes was named PBC Runner of the Year while Burgamy was named PBC Coach of the Year in his inaugural season. Brickey, Motes, Avery Jaynes, Thomas Rischar, and Carlos Rodriguez were all named PBC All-Conference. After finishing second at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship in Wingate, North Carolina, the Jaguars qualified for the NCAA National Championship Meet in Seattle, Washington. Battling through snowy conditions, the Augusta men finished 24^th overall.

Augusta women's cross country also had a successful fall under Burgamy's tutelage. The Jaguar women finished third in the PBC Championships and seventh at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships. Cassie Lagan and Riley Triplett were named PBC All-Conference. Eleven different cross country runners were named to PBC Teams of Academic Distinction.

"I've been extremely impressed with Coach Burgamy over the past five months," said Director of Athletics Ryan Erlacher. "He has done an exceptional job leading our programs on an interim basis. His passion for and commitment to AU Athletics is infectious. He has a bold vision for the future of Augusta cross country and track and field, and I have no doubt he will elevate our programs to the next level."
 
Burgamy came to Augusta after spending several years coaching college athletes through his business - 478 Athletics. From 2021-2021 he coached for the Brentwood School, leading his teams to multiple school and state record performances.
 
Burgamy is a familiar face in Augusta. For his graduate season, he was a scoring member of the 2019 Augusta University cross country team – the highest finishing team in program history. He ran under Ward while obtaining a master's degree in kinesiology with a minor in sport coaching.
 
During his first two years of college, he ran at Emmanuel College and finished third at the Cross Country National Championship meet. He then transferred to run at Campbell University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in exercise science.
 
 
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