<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>USC Beaufort Director of Athletics Quin Monahan removed the interim tag and promoted Cory Cottrell to head coach for both the USCB men's and women's golf teams on Monday.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“I'm pleased to announce that Coach Cottrell has accepted the head women's and men's golf coach position, and know that our program is in exceptional hands," Monahan said in a release. "Cory exemplifies the tradition of excellence in our golf programs and will continue to be an outstanding mentor to our young golfers. The tide is rising and Sand Shark Athletics just got better today."</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“From being a student athlete at USCB to now being the head coach, it is something that will always be very special to me,” Cottrell said. “I am looking forward to continuing the academic and athletic championship success the women's and men's golf programs have had, not only at the NAIA level, but as we make the transition to NCAA Division II."</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>During his time as interim (2020-21 season), he elevated both the men's and women's teams to new heights. Under his tutelage, Cottrell guided the men's golf team to one team victory, nine top-five team finishes, 19 top-10 individual finishes and an appearance at the NAIA Championship during the 2020-21 season. He also saw his team reach as high as fourth in the national rankings, according the GolfStat.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>On the women's side in 2020-21, Cottrell led the women's team to four top-five team finishes, 13 top-15 individual finishes and the fifth-highest team GPA (3.68) in the entire country.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Cottrell returned to USCB as the assistant men's and women's golf coach in the Spring of 2020. He graduated from USCB in 2016 with a Psychology degree and was a member of the men's team from 2012 to 2016.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>After his time at USCB as a student-athlete, Cottrell went on to receive his Masters degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Georgia Southern University. While at Georgia Southern, Cottrell worked with athletes on mental performance and taught classes in the Physical Activity and Healthful Living Program.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Upon graduating from Georgia Southern, Cottrell moved back into golf and Bluffton full time and worked as a mental performance coach for the International Junior Golf Academy (IJGA), where he provided classroom and individual mental performance sessions for junior golfers.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Prior to joining USCB, Cottrell started his own company, Aware Performance Group, and continues to provide mental performance consultations and training.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><em>Cottrell is extremely active in continuing education in Sport Psychology and holds membership in the Association in Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and is a part of a committee dedicated to furthering the reach of AASP and sport psychology.</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->