Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Figger announced on Tuesday the hiring of Joe Cronn as the coordinator of basketball operations and men’s basketball strength and conditioning coach. Cronnworked with Figger at Austin Peay the last four seasons as the men’s basketball team’s director of strength & conditioning and also assumed the role of director of basketball operations for the 2020-21 season.
During his time at Austin Peay, Cronn was responsible for the men’s basketball strength & conditioning program as well as assisting with day-to-day basketball operations including academics, travel, housing, admissions, camps, overseeing student managers, and equipment. Austin Peay went 76-51 (.598) while Cronn was there.
“Joe’s another guy that I’ve got a 15-year relationship with,” Figger said. “He was with us at Kansas State as part of an Elite 8 team. He also worked with several bowl teams at Kansas State football. At one point, they were even ranked No. 1 in the nation. He was with me for four years at Austin Peay. He will assume the same role here. He is the foundation of our program as far as building strength and conditioning with our team.”
Cronn arrived at Austin Peay after working at Kansas State from 2006-17 as a strength & conditioning coach. Cronn assisted with football, men’s and women’s basketball, cheerleading and women’s tennis during that time, which includes Figger’s tenure as an assistant men’s basketball coach from 2007-12. During those five years, Kansas State went 117-54 (.684).
“I am thrilled to be joining Coach Figger at UTRGV,” Cronn said. “It is awesome to come into a program and feel the support already from the community. The people here are incredible and there’s so much positive energy surrounding us. We’re ready to harness that momentum and get to work with our student-athletes.”
Cronn graduated from Kansas State with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Science. He is a National Strength and Conditioning Association Member, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, and Certified USA Weightlifting Club Coach. He also is certified in CPR, AED and First-Aid.
