New leadership in place for varsity boys basketball, varsity girls soccer and swim programs
New leadership is in place at Tallulah Falls School for varsity boys basketball, varsity girls soccer and middle school/varsity swim programs.
Varsity boys basketball
Cody Coleman, upper school history teacher, will lead the Tallulah Falls School varsity boys basketball team.
“We are excited to announce Cody Coleman as the leader for our boys’ basketball program,” said President and Head of School Larry A. Peevy. “Coach Coleman is invested in this group of young men with his work in the classroom and by serving last season as an assistant coach and as the interim coach this spring and summer. His strong enthusiasm for building leaders through sports is evident. Join me in congratulating Coach Coleman.”
Coleman played basketball at Rabun County High School and later at the University of North Georgia. At UNG he was recognized as a Presidential Scholar-Athlete and later received the Department of Athletics All-Academic Award. He graduated from UNG with an undergraduate degree in history and a graduate degree in Public Administration. Most recently, he served as the assistant varsity boys basketball coach at TFS.
Coleman has an extraordinary ability to connect with players, said Athletic Director Scott Neal.
“His knowledge of the game and wholehearted engagement in the program has clearly earned the respect of the players, parents, and administration,” Neal said. “Firm and patient, Coach Coleman harnesses the players’ attention and loyalty, galvanizing them to fiercely play together with common, unifying goals. We are fortunate to have him lead our boys to be GREAT young men as we pursue excellence.”
Coleman said it was an honor and privilege to take the next step in his coaching career. “I am extremely excited for the opportunity to help each of our student-athletes grow on and off the court,” he said. “For this upcoming season, I look forward to my new role at the school and continuing to build on the program’s solid foundation.”
Coleman grew up in Rabun County and is the son of retired educators and coaches. He volunteers as a coach for both youth and adult sports at the Rabun County Recreation Department.
Varsity girls soccer
Travis Mullis of Sautee Nacoochee has been named as the varsity girls soccer coach at TFS.
Mullis has been teaching English for 14 years and coaching soccer for 17. In his third year at Tallulah Falls School, he will serve as both the middle school boys and varsity girls soccer coach as well as the sixth-grade English teacher. A member of both United Soccer Coaches and US Soccer, Coach Mullis has earned the US Soccer F license, the 11v11 Formations and Systems of Play diploma, and the NFHS Coaching Soccer Certificate.
“It’s great to see our program grow with committed leaders like Coach Mullis,” said President and Head of School Larry A. Peevy. “He brings a strong commitment to developing leaders and love of the game to our student-athletes.”
“We are thrilled to have Coach Mullis lead our girls’ soccer program. He is a leader of significance who owns our mission of GREAT character, competence, and competitiveness, who purposefully integrates athletic and life skills while developing a team-first culture, and who demonstrates stability and excitement in our growing girls’ soccer program,” said Athletic Director Scott Neal. “He started the middle school girls program last year; he has a vision for future growth and distinction for the entire program. Coach Mullis sees the big picture while focusing on the details that matter. TFS is fortunate to have him lead this program.”
Coach Mullis said he is “tremendously excited about the potential the teams have to accomplish GREAT things both on and off of the field.”
Last year, Mullis’ student-athletes volunteered at area nonprofit agencies as part of the team experience.
“Beyond the field, the teams will continue to serve the community in remarkable ways,” he said.
He has been married to Wendy, a White County elementary school teacher, for 22 years. They have three children – Chaz, Maddie, and Jared – all TFS student-athletes. In his spare time, Mullis enjoys pursuing adventures with family and friends.
Swim teams
Tallulah Falls School alum Rachel Nichols [Class of 2015] of Clarkesville will lead the boys and girls swim program and teach fifth-grade English for the 2019-20 academic year.
Nichols brings eight years of swim coaching experience as well as 15 years of competitive swimming experience to the Indians. As a competitive swimmer, she was a four-year, five-event qualifier to the 1A-5A Georgia High School Association’s state swimming championship meet before continuing her swimming career at Mars Hill University, an NCAA Division II university in the Western North Carolina mountains.
“We are excited to have Coach Nichols return to the TFS family,” said President and Head of School Larry A. Peevy. “She brings a unique perspective on both the program and our swim community. She is a proven leader who will make an immediate impact in both the classroom and through the swim program.”
Nichols set several team and personal records for the Mars Hill Lions before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.
“Throughout Rachel’s education at TFS and at Mars Hill, she was always regarded with the utmost respect while consistently demonstrating notable leadership. Her drive to be a learner, her love for people and her detailed organizational skills add to a genuine ability to connect with others,” said Athletic Director Scott Neal. “She will parlay these skills to lead our swim program as we continue a strong swim performance tradition while creating an exciting future that will soon include a new natatorium. She has a knack for instruction made simple, positive and effective communication and a driven desire to also help others be GREAT!”
Nichols said she is looking forward to serving the TFS swim team community.
“We have an established program that has sent swimmers to state every year since its inception, a wonderful coaching staff, all of whom have had some level of competitive swimming experience and a state-of-the-art facility soon to be completed,” Nichols said. “I look forward to bringing my knowledge and experience of swimming to this program as well as helping to continue the tradition of building GREAT character in our TFS student-athletes.”
Outside of the pool and classroom, Nichols enjoys mountain biking, spending time with her family, and going hiking with her dog, Boone.
