ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Athletics hired a new Head Strength and Conditioning Coach this week, appointing Zak Snell to the position on December 1. Snell will work will all 21 of McMurry's intercollegiate athletic programs.
"We are so excited to add Coach Snell to the McMurry Community," said Vice President for Student Affairs and Intercollegiate Athletics Sam Ferguson. "He is a knowledgeable coach who has learned from some of the best in the business, and also brings an enthusiasm that will enhance our scholar-athlete experience. Most importantly, I am impressed with his character and thrilled that we have someone in place who will model the way for our scholar-athletes. Coach Snell is committed to our values of responsibility, integrity, service and excellence. His leadership will undoubtedly add value to our McMurry culture. We are grateful for Coach (Rexi) Parcells and everyone on our staff who were involved in attracting Coach Snell to McMurry!"
Snell has worked at various levels of collegiate athletics, including stints at the University of Arizona as a volunteer assistant, the University of Louisville as a football strength and conditioning intern, the University of Wisconsin-Stout as an undergraduate and nearby Angelo State University as a graduate assistant.
"I'm excited to be back at the Division III level and to make a meaningful impact on the lives of McMurry's scholar-athletes," Snell said. "I'd like to thank everyone who made this possible, especially Sam Ferguson and Rexi Parcells for spearheading this process. I'm looking forward to getting into the flow of things and working with all of our programs with a busy spring coming up."
Snell is no stranger to NCAA Division III athletics, as he was a football scholar-athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Stout from 2010-14. He was a "jack of all trades" for the Blue Devils, holding the distinction of attempting a rush, completing a pass, catching a pass, punting, returning a punt, kicking off and returning a kickoff at least once in his career. Snell holds the WIAC conference record for single game kickoff return yards with 234. He also served as a graphic designer for the team while playing, creating posters and apparel to promote the program.
Following his football career at UW Stout, Snell stayed with the athletic department as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach and as the Director of Basketball Operations from August 2015 until May 2017. He interned with the basketball team for seven months before being promoted to the Director of Operations. In his role, he handled the fitness of the women's basketball program, while also utilizing his graphic design skills to promote the program, among other duties.
Snell is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) which he earned in August 2020. He is also USAW, CPR and First Aid certified.
"We knew right away that Zak was not only eager to be at McMurry, but that he would also be a perfect fit," said Parcells, the search committee chair. "He has a wealth of knowledge, experience and enjoys helping scholar-athletes reach their potential. I believe he will play a key role in our team success over the next few years. I am excited to see the scholar-athletes progress in the weight room under his leadership."
Snell completed his Bachelor of Science from UW-Stout in 2017 with a degree in Health, Wellness & Fitness. He later finished his Master of Science in Education: Coaching, Sport, Recreation and Fitness Administration from Angelo State in July 2020.
He is originally from Spooner, Wisconsin and is the son of Joe and Julie Snell.
