He coordinates the Sport Studies Program and the Physical Education Department. Epling holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Foundations of Sport from the University of Tennessee, where his doctoral dissertation examined the racial desegregation of Volunteer football and the Southeastern Conference. His undergraduate and master degrees are in Physical Education from the University of Georgia. Epling was at Reinhardt from 1998 to 2003, and returned in 2006. Prior to moving into higher education, he was a public school teacher and coach. His courses at Reinhardt include Athletics and Media Relations, Sport Administration, Sport History, Sport Studies field placement supervision, and others.