University of Georgia Athletics
Jeff Pigg Hired To Lead UGA's Distance Program
July 28, 2008 | Track & Field
ATHENS, Ga. --- Jeff Pigg has been named the new distance coach for the University of Georgia’s track and field and cross country teams, according to an announcement from head coach Wayne Norton.
Pigg comes to Georgia after serving a similar post at the University of Florida since 2002.
“Coach Pigg brings a lot of experience to the position,” said Norton. “He has done a very good job over the last few years at Florida so our staff and team are excited to have him here. He has fit in very well with everyone in the program.”
Norton is also convinced Pigg will continue to build an already successful program.
“He will do a good job of building on the successes that our previous distance coaches have achieved,” Norton said.
Pigg took over Florida’s distance program in 2002 and served in that capacity until leaving for Georgia. Not only did he lead both the men’s and women’s teams to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the first time in the same year in school history in 2006, but he also guided the women’s team to an 11th place finish at the 2007 NCAA cross country meet, which was the top finish in Florida history.
After serving as the head track and field coach at Gainesville (Fla.) High School in 1988, Pigg was the head cross country coach at Missouri from 1990 to 2000 before accepting the head coaching job at Illinois State. Pigg coached at Illinois State until leaving to coach the Gators in Gainesville.
“I am really excited to have this opportunity at the University of Georgia because I truly believe this is a great school,” said Pigg. “I’m excited to be working with Coach Norton and the rest of the staff here. They are a well-respected group across the nation and I look forward to being a part of the group.”
“I am ready to go to work,” Pigg said. “My goal is to continue to build on the recent success that this program has had and I believe we can be very competitive at a national level year in and year out.”
In addition to Sarah Madebach capturing the Southeastern Conference individual cross country title for the Lady Bulldogs in 2007, Natalie Picchetti earned All-American honors at the NCAA Championships after taking 27th place.
On the track, Ian Burrell won a pair of All-America certificates in the 5000-meter and Ross Ridgewell earned his first All-American honor in the 800 for the Georgia men. For the women, Madebach repeated as the steeplechase champion and was the school’s first All-American in the event at the NCAA
Outdoor Championships after finishing seventh.
Pigg and his cross country teams will kick off their 2008 cross country season in August.
Pigg comes to Georgia after serving a similar post at the University of Florida since 2002.
“Coach Pigg brings a lot of experience to the position,” said Norton. “He has done a very good job over the last few years at Florida so our staff and team are excited to have him here. He has fit in very well with everyone in the program.”
Norton is also convinced Pigg will continue to build an already successful program.
“He will do a good job of building on the successes that our previous distance coaches have achieved,” Norton said.
Pigg took over Florida’s distance program in 2002 and served in that capacity until leaving for Georgia. Not only did he lead both the men’s and women’s teams to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the first time in the same year in school history in 2006, but he also guided the women’s team to an 11th place finish at the 2007 NCAA cross country meet, which was the top finish in Florida history.
After serving as the head track and field coach at Gainesville (Fla.) High School in 1988, Pigg was the head cross country coach at Missouri from 1990 to 2000 before accepting the head coaching job at Illinois State. Pigg coached at Illinois State until leaving to coach the Gators in Gainesville.
“I am really excited to have this opportunity at the University of Georgia because I truly believe this is a great school,” said Pigg. “I’m excited to be working with Coach Norton and the rest of the staff here. They are a well-respected group across the nation and I look forward to being a part of the group.”
“I am ready to go to work,” Pigg said. “My goal is to continue to build on the recent success that this program has had and I believe we can be very competitive at a national level year in and year out.”
In addition to Sarah Madebach capturing the Southeastern Conference individual cross country title for the Lady Bulldogs in 2007, Natalie Picchetti earned All-American honors at the NCAA Championships after taking 27th place.
On the track, Ian Burrell won a pair of All-America certificates in the 5000-meter and Ross Ridgewell earned his first All-American honor in the 800 for the Georgia men. For the women, Madebach repeated as the steeplechase champion and was the school’s first All-American in the event at the NCAA
Outdoor Championships after finishing seventh.
Pigg and his cross country teams will kick off their 2008 cross country season in August.
Georgia Track & Field Outdoor National Championships Video Recap
Monday, June 16
Georgia Track & Field Outdoor NCAAs Day 2 Recap
Friday, June 13
Georgia Track & Field Feature: Throwers Profile
Monday, June 09
Georgia Track & Field Outdoor SEC Championships Day 3 Video Recap
Monday, May 19