MOBILE, Ala. – Ross Jirgl (pronounced YER-gull) has been named assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of South Alabama, head coach Justin Schwind announced.

Jirgl's primary responsibility will be working with the Jaguar men's basketball team.

He comes to USA after nearly two years as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Indiana State, where he worked with the men's basketball program, aided the Sycamore football team and was also the strength and conditioning internship coordinator.

Prior to arriving in Mobile, he was the head strength and conditioning coach at Green Bay for a month, where he had the opportunity to design and implement a performance program for seven Phoenix teams including men's basketball.

After earning his undergraduate degree in biomedical science from Minnesota State in 2013, Jirgl served internships at Stanford and California.  At both schools he helped with the implementation of an offseason strength and conditioning program for the football team.

While at MSU, Jirgl was a four-year letterwinner for the Maverick football team, playing linebacker and helping the program to the 2011 and '12 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship as well as the league's South Division title his freshman season.  As a senior he helped the Mavs advance to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs en route to a 13-1 finish, while the previous fall MSU went 9-3 after earning a 28-14 victory over Northeastern (Okla.) State in the Mineral Water Bowl.  The Mavericks also qualified for the 2009 NCAA Division II playoffs, posting a 38-11 (77.6%) overall mark — including a 33-9 (78.6%) record in conference play — during his career.

Twice named to the Academic All-NSIC team, Jirgl was a second-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V selection as a sophomore.

Jirgl is certified by both the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA).

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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