Eller hired as Bobcats’ baseball head coach

Georgia College has a new baseball head coach, and it found him from a rival program in the Peach Belt Conference.

Georgia College athletics director Wendell Staton named Jason Eller as the Bobcats' head coach Wednesday. Eller comes to Georgia College after three years at Augusta.

Eller is the ninth coach in the Bobcats' program history.

"It is a privilege and honor to be the next head coach of Georgia College baseball,” Eller said in a release. “We look forward to creating an environment within our baseball program that will make our faculty, staff, students and fans proud. The academic mission of Georgia College combined with the student-athlete experience makes our institution one of the most unique and sought after in the country.

"The next step is connecting with our alumni, our campus and the community of Milledgeville, as well as implementing a life-enhancing culture. I am very humbled and thankful to lead this new chapter in the great tradition that is Bobcat baseball."

The Jaguars finished 2016 with a No. 18 national ranking and a 29-22 record, the program’s first winning season since 2008. The team also made its first Peach Belt Tournament appearance since the 2011 season.

The Bobcats finished 33-17 in 2016, but longtime head coach Tom Carty resigned after the season amid a review of the program for what was described as a personal matter.

The program returns Peach Belt Pitcher of the Year Cameron Busby, Peach Belt Freshman of the Year Wesley Wommack and all-conference players Matthew Miller, Logan Mattix and Brandon Benson.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jason Eller as our head baseball coach,” Staton said. “Jason is committed to providing an outstanding and holistic student-athlete experience. He has proven success in developing student-athletes academically, socially and athletically. Working for USG institutions for the past 15 years, the relationships he has developed throughout the state will aid him as he identifies student-athletes who will strengthen our university. Jason is a great fit for Georgia College. He will be an excellent mentor for our student-athletes, and we are excited to bring him to Milledgeville.”

This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 2:15 PM with the headline "Eller hired as Bobcats’ baseball head coach."