MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama Director of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann announced Monday the hiring of Lance Ancar as director of football strength and conditioning.

"We went through a lot of résumés and a lot of interviews," said Jaguar head football coach Joey Jones.  "My main focus was on physical and mental toughness.  There were a lot of guys we interviewed who were highly qualified, but to me Lance brought that element of physical toughness that I think you need to have in the game of football."

Ancar comes to South after spending the last four seasons as strength and conditioning coach at Alabama.  While with the Crimson Tide, he assisted with the football program as it made three straight appearances in the College Football Playoff — winning the national championship in 2015 — and served as the head strength and conditioning coach for the baseball and men's tennis programs.  In his role, Ancar worked with Alabama's swimming and diving and rowing teams as well.

He also has experience at the collegiate level at Minnesota State-Moorhead, where he was the Dragons' running backs and tight ends coach while serving as assistant strength and conditioning coach during the 2010 season.

Ancar earned a degree in health and physical education from North Alabama.  He was a four-year letterwinner for the Lions from 2002-05, and was the recipient of the Rimington Trophy as the top center in NCAA Division II football while earning first-team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association as a senior.  A three-time all-Gulf South Conference selection, Ancar helped UNA to a 33-16 record during his career including berths in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2003 and '05.

A native of Harvey, La., Ancar earned all-state, all-metro and all-league accolades as an offensive lineman at Archbishop Shaw High.

Ancar is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and United States Weightlifting Association (USAW).

"I believe that Lance is a good hire for the University of South Alabama, he brings a wealth of strength and conditioning experience," said USA Associate Athletic Director/Sports Medicine Jinni Frisbey.  "As we look to enhance our strength and conditioning and injury prevention plans to ensure all student-athletes are getting the most out of our program, Lance brings an incredible amount of energy and is a true professional who has worked with several different sports.  I think he brings a unique perspective to the university and will really elevate our football program from a strength and conditioning perspective."

It was also announced that Justin Schwind, head strength and conditioning coach at the university since 2009, while take over the role of director of football operations.

"Justin wants to be an athletic director one day, this is a step in that direction," Jones said.  "We both felt that it is a great fit for him and for us.  I'm very happy to keep guys who are loyal to South Alabama football in the program, and Justin is one of the most loyal guys I've been around."

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).

Join the Jaguar Athletic Fund (JAF) Priority Fund, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics.  Contributions to the Priority Fund directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/sports/2013/3/13/Gridiron%20Club.aspx?id=22

—USA—