LaGrange College head football coach Todd Mooney announces the hiring of Terry Ursin, Jr. as the Defensive Coordinator and Varsity Strength Coordinator. Ursin joins the Panthers' coaching staff from Holmes Community College (Miss.) where he served in the same capacity for the 2011 season.

"I am really excited to be coming to LaGrange and be reunited with Coach Mooney and Coach (David) Shonts," Ursin said. "There is a clear vision for success at LaGrange that starts with the president, the athletic director and with the coaches. There is the opportunity and potential to do great things as the school ushers in a new era with the USA South conference."

Ursin, a native of New Orleans, is a 1997 graduate of Rhodes College with a degree in History. He was a four-year letterman in football; starting three years on the defensive line and served as a team captain.

Ursin began his coaching career at Rhodes as the defensive line coach in 1997. He coached linebackers, wide receivers and was the strength and conditioning coach at Munford High School in Munford, Tenn. from 1998 to 2001. Ursin served as the defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach at Kirby High School in Memphis, Tenn., prior to returning to Rhodes in 2003.

At Rhodes, Ursin coached wide receivers for two years, the defensive line for a year and linebackers for five years. He was also the Special Teams Coordinator for the Lynx for his final six seasons. Ursin coached a first team All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference player in every season while at Rhodes. He coached the SCAC Defensive Player of the Year and all-region selections for two straight seasons.

During Ursin's time coaching the linebackers, the Rhodes' defense was fifth in total defense in NCAA Division III for the 2006 season. The Lynx defense was ranked in the top 25 nationally in total defense in two other seasons. Ursin coached the SCAC's leader in sacks three of the last six seasons he was at Rhodes, along with having the conference's leading tackler in two of the last four seasons.

"I am extremely excited to add Terry to our football staff. I've had the opportunity to interact with him for many years while he was coaching high school, as a member of the staff when I was at Rhodes, and as a competitor after I came to LaGrange," Mooney said. "Terry comes to us with a great passion for football and an unbelievable drive for success on the field, in the weight room, and in recruiting. He will be a fantastic addition to our football program."