Brevard College Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Matthew Jelley has announced the hiring of Apollos Kimbrough as BC's Assistant Track & Field Coach.
"Through the hiring process it became clear that Coach Kimbrough had the knowledge and experience to help bring this program to new heights," commented Coach Jelley. "His enthusiasm and personality will not only help him motivate our current team, but will also be a great help on the recruiting trail.
A veteran coach with more than a decade of experience in track & field, education, and athletic leadership, Kimbrough joins Brevard College after serving as an Assistant Track & Field Coach specializing in jumps at UNC Asheville from 2020-23. During his tenure with the Bulldogs, he helped guide the program to significant competitive improvements, contributing to a rise from last place to third place in the Big South Conference standings during his first season. His student-athletes produced program-record performances in the long jump and triple jump, earned NCAA East Preliminary honors, secured multiple spots among the Big South's all-time top performances, and garnered numerous All-Academic recognitions.
"I am honored to join the Brevard College Track & Field staff and fully support Coach Jelley's mission, vision and priorities," stated Coach Kimbrough. "Under his leadership, I believe we will create a culture that allows athletes to believe and behave in a way that fosters both trust and results. I also believe this starts with creating an emotionally safe, authentic, judgement-free environment that is stable, allowing athletes to own their improvement, results, and ultimately their life choices."
In addition to coaching event groups, Kimbrough designed and implemented leadership and development initiatives, including summer camps, mentorship programs, tutoring services, and student leadership opportunities. His work emphasized both athletic excellence and personal growth, helping student-athletes achieve success on the track, in the classroom, and within their communities.
Prior to his collegiate coaching experience, Kimbrough established a reputation as one of Western North Carolina's most successful high school track & field coaches. Across coaching stops in Henderson, Buncombe, and Asheville City Schools, he built championship-caliber programs that consistently competed for conference, regional, and state titles. His teams produced more than 100 gold-medal performances while capturing historic milestones, including Asheville High School's first 3A Women's Conference Championship and Hendersonville High School's first Women's State Championship, under Head Coach Pam Bolton.
"I am committed to supporting the head coach and administration in creating an environment where student-athletes can develop and progress holistically in practice," added Coach Kimbrough. "Every day, in some way, we will get better and better. This means that improvement is the number one goal. Athletes will be expected to be exceptional at improving variables they can control, and avoid anything detrimental to themselves, the team, or the lofty outcomes they aim to achieve. We will create a culture of fundamental mastery with training progressions enabling student-athletes to perform under pressure with intelligence and confidence -- producing meaningful results both on and off the track. That is the work. I am here to help the jumps and sprints programs raise the standard, create consistency, and build something durable, memorable, and honorable. And we've already started! It truly is an honor and a blessing to be here and support not only the college, but the community that supports us as well."
Throughout his coaching career, Kimbrough has emphasized a data-driven approach to athlete development. By leveraging performance analysis, long-term training progressions, and individualized coaching strategies, he has consistently helped athletes maximize their potential while fostering strong team cultures centered on accountability, leadership, and academic achievement.
Beyond athletics, Kimbrough has extensive experience as an educator, having taught music, technology, business, and engineering-related courses throughout his career. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Duke University and maintains North Carolina teaching licensure in multiple disciplines. His diverse professional background includes leadership development, project management, technology integration, and community engagement.
A former Duke University football and track & field student-athlete, Kimbrough earned a full athletic scholarship while competing for the Blue Devils. He also holds numerous coaching certifications, including credentials from USATF, USTFCCCA, and NFHS.
