Tommy Hoke has been hired as the MSU football associate head strength and conditioning coach, replacing Aaron Wellman who took a position at Ball State in January.

Hoke received a bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1990 and earned his master's degree from Appalachian State in 1993. He has coaching experience at both schools as well as at Texas Tech.

"We conducted a national search for this position and without question, we found the best candidate available in Tommy Hoke," MSU head football coach John L. Smithsaid. "He brings a great deal of experience to the weight room and field."

Hoke coached eight seasons (1996-2003) at Appalachian State, serving three as an assistant coach before being promoted in 1999 to head strength and conditioning coach. He has experience with 20 sports including football, men's basketball and track and field. During his time with Appalachian State the Mountaineer football team appeared in the NCAA I-AA playoffs five consecutive times.