Irwin and Zierfuss Named Co-Head Track and Field Coaches
- Irwin also tabbed as head cross country coach -

Patrick Irwin and Dan Zierfuss were named co-head track and field coaches at Knox College today. Irwin was also named the head cross country coach while Zierfuss will also assist the Prairie Fire football team. The two replace Chris Pio and will begin their duties July 1. Knox College assistant football coach Cory Bonstead will also assist the track and field teams in the spring, focusing on the jumping events.

“Having two head coaches will allow us more coverage in recruiting. The addition of Cory gives us three recruiters in track,” said Knox director of athletics Chad Eisele. “We are concerned with the roster size of the team. This will help widen our recruiting base and it gives us a chance to bring in more student-athletes.”

Irwin is familiar with Knox after serving as an assistant coach with the Prairie Fire cross country and track and field teams last season. He also was the assistant girls’ track coach at Solon (Iowa) High School in the spring of 2006. A four-year letter winner at Cornell College (Iowa) in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, Irwin will primarily work with the distance runners.

The Monmouth, Illinois, native earned a degree in Secondary Education and Physical Education from Cornell in 2006. He also earned his coaching endorsement in track.

“I am excited to be a part of the program in a head role,” said Irwin. “I have the advantage of being an assistant, so I know how things work, I am familiar with the athletes and they are familiar with me. I have some new and fresh ideas and I hope to bring some success and enjoyment to everyone involved with the program.”

Zierfuss, who will primarily focus on coaching the throwing events, was a graduate assistant coach for the track and field teams at Carroll College last season. He coached the school record holders in both the men’s and women’s hammer throw at Carroll. In 2005-06, Zierfuss served as an assistant football and assistant track and field coach at Beloit College.

Zierfuss was a captain for both the football and track and field teams at Beloit College. He was named to the academic All-Midwest Conference team from 2002-05. Zierfuss earned his degree in Psychology from Beloit in 2005.

“I am extremely excited to take this position,” said Zierfuss. “Knox College is a great place for student-athletes to come while working on earning a degree. It is exciting to be a part of the track and field program here. I feel the program has unlimited potential.”

Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 45 states and 44 nations. Knox's 'Old Main' is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.

--www.knox.edu/sports--

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Brian Thiessen

Sports Information Director

Knox College

Email: bthiesse@knox.edu

Phone: 309-341-7714

Fax: 309-341-7806

http://www.knox.edu