MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota State University Director of Athletics Jen Flowers announced on Wednesday the hiring of Zak Snell as the Director of Strength & Conditioning at SMSU.

Snell comes to SMSU from St. Mary’s University (Texas), where he has served as Sports Performance Coach and Fitness Room Coordinator since July 2022.

“We are excited to welcome Zak to SMSU and Mustang Athletics,” Flowers said. “Zak is the right person to help our student-athletes grow and succeed in the weight room. He is a tremendous addition to our staff. On behalf of our department, we welcome Zak and look forward to working with him.”

Prior to St. Mary’s, Snell was the head strength & conditioning coach at McMurry University from 2020-22. He also served as a volunteer assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Arizona, the University of Louisville as a football strength and conditioning intern, and Angelo State University as a graduate assistant and kinesiology instructor. Snell started his career as assistant strength & conditioning coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Director of Athletics Jen Flowers and the entire staff at SMSU for giving me the opportunity of being the Director of Strength & Conditioning,” Snell said. “I am looking forward to adding my own competitive facet to all of the Mustang programs. I believe there is a lot of growth happening at SMSU and I am excited to be another addition to help them on this path. Now it’s time to go to work, Let’s Ride!”

Snell is a 2017 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in health, wellness and fitness. He earned his master’s degree in coaching, sport and recreation & fitness from Angelo State in 2020.

Snell is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and is also USAW, CPR and First Aid certified.