CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University athletic department filled another void on the staff as it announced the official hiring of Texan Kevin Jannusch as softball head coach effective immediately. Jannusch takes over the program following the tendered resignation of Kyle Yore earlier this year.

Jannusch represents the fifth new head coach for the Saints' growing department (Amy Eagan - women's basketball, Oliver Drake - men's basketball, Chad Fenwick - men's and women's tennis, Brian Swanson - men's and women's bowling, Josh Heiple - men's golf) brought on by AU Athletics Director Meg Schebler for the current academic year.

"We are excited about the enthusiasm that Kevin brings to the table and are confident in his abilities to lead our program back to prominence," Schebler stated. "His track record is very proven at the collegiate level and his various experiences will be invaluable as he begins his career at Ashford."

Jannusch comes to Ashford by way of Bellville, Texas, where he was an accomplished head coach at University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio for a five-year span. He compiled a career record of 144-132, leading the Cardinals to their first-ever Heartland Conference championship, NCAA regional appearance and NFCA National Ranking.

Most recently at the collegiate level, Jannusch served as an assistant coach and pitching specialist at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., and provided a two-year stint as an assistant coach for the softball program at Mesa State College (Colo.).

"Ashford is a great place to be right now with a lot of growth," Jannusch said. "The athletic department has turned the corner and taken things seriously and it ended up being a great fit for me. We want to make sure that everyone is settled down into an established routine heading into this year."

"I want to thank Meg (Schebler) and (Associate Athletics Director) Andy (Eberhart) for the opportunity and I'm excited to get things rolling in the direction they want to see it headed in," he added.

Other coaching stops for Jannusch prior to Ashford include St. Edward's University (Texas), Evansville University (Ind.), Texas State University and the Goodwill Softball Tour (Kan.). He has also guided several successful club teams, including the Decatur (Ill.) Lady Pride Fastpitch Club and the 16U Houston Power Fastpitch Club.

Jannusch, a graduate from Mesa State in Grand Junction, obtained his degree in Sports Management. He currently resides in Clinton.