Coach Glenn McWaters begins his 12th year as head coach of the Samford cross-country and track and field teams. His highly successful run since taking the helm in 1996 includes four Atlantic Sun championships, four A-Sun Coach of the Year awards and the establishment of more than 180 school records. He was named the 2004 OVC women's coach of the year after guiding the women's cross country team to a conference title and a sweep of the top five finishes at the conference meet.

McWaters' impact was immediate on the Bulldog program, leading the women's team to the A-Sun cross-country championship in his first year as head coach. During the 1999- 2000 academic year, Samford's men swept the A-Sun championships, winning titles in cross-country and track and field. In 2000, the men's cross-country team repeated as A-Sun champions.

McWaters ran competitively at Auburn University, where he held several school records and was All-Southeastern Conference in cross-country and track for three years. Upon graduation, McWaters ran for the U.S. Marine Corps, where he qualified for the 1968 Olympic Trials in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

While flying Cobra helicopters for the Marines during the Vietnam War, McWaters was severely wounded in the left leg, and doctors told him he would never run again. Discovering the hospital pool by accident, McWaters developed a series of kicking exercises that not only strengthened his leg and allowed him to run again but also marked the beginning of aquatic rehabilitation. His unbelievable recovery amazed doctors and convinced McWaters of water's value as a medium for rehabilitation and training.

McWaters received special training in sports medicine and exercise physiology while in the Marine Corps. After recovering from his injury, McWaters served as the Corps' physical training director, redesigning its physical training programs and assisting in the design of the fitness program for FBI candidates. He also coached the USMC track team. After his career in the military, McWaters formed the Sports Medicine and Fitness Institute in conjunction with Samford University. He also hosted health and fitness talk shows on radio and television.

McWaters innovated deep-water running and invented the Wet Vest that made this activity possible. In its 25th annual edition, Runner's World magazine labeled deep-water running as one of the 25 best training tips of all time.

McWaters has written numerous magazine and newspaper articles, a book entitled Deep Water Exercise for Health and Fitness, has produced the video, Deep Water Running, and has lectured worldwide. He has coached numerous elite athletes, including several Olympic medalists. Coach McWaters and his wife, Lynn, have two grown children, Megan and Robert.