April 4, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Jacob Scharnhorst has joined the Utah State Athletics Department as its new strength and conditioning coach it was announced by senior associate athletics director/head trainer Dale Mildenberger Friday. Scharnhorst officially began his duties at USU on March 13.

Scharnhorst comes to Utah State following a three-year stint at the University of Mississippi where he served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. While at Ole Miss, he coordinated the strength program for the men's basketball squad and assisted with the football team.

"My family and I are really excited to be back out West," said Scharnhorst. "This is a great opportunity to be the head strength coach at Utah State and we look forward to helping in the athletic success of all 16 varsity programs."

Prior to his stint at Ole Miss, Scharnhorst spent the 2004-05 academic year as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Idaho where he assisted in all aspects of the design and implementation of the men's basketball and football team's strength and conditioning programs. He was also a graduate assistant at Idaho for one season.

Scharnhorst is a native of Genesee, Idaho and graduated from Northern Colorado in 2002 with bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He also earned a masters of science degree from the University of Idaho in 2005.

"We are excited that Jacob has joined Utah State's athletics family" said Mildenberger. "He has a very good strength and conditioning background and having spent the last three years at the University of Mississippi has only added to his already strong grasp of Division I football."

Scharnhorst is married to the former Courtney Grieser. The couple has two daughters, Kyra (6) and Mia (2).

Scharnhorst replaces Mark Uyeyama who recently resigned to accept a similar position with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League.