Jeff Shirk, a former standout Maryland defensive midfielder, has been named an assistant coach at the University of Maryland, men's lacrosse head coach Dave Cottle announced Thursday. Shirk will be responsible for coaching the face-off men and assisting with the offense.

"We're very excited to have Jeff back at the University of Maryland," Cottle said. "He brings a lot of experience with him from his time at the Naval Academy Prep School. When this job opened it was important to me to find a Maryland grad that understood the history of Maryland lacrosse. We feel very fortunate to have found a person and coach of Jeff's caliber to fill this opening."

Shirk joins the Terrapins after serving as the head coach at the Naval Academy Preparatory School since October 2001, where he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the lacrosse program. Shirk served as a student assistant coach at Maryland in 2001, during which he was responsible for the development of face-off men and assisted with defensive preparation.

A letterwinner from 1997-2000 for the Terps, Shirk was known as one of the nation's most tenacious defenders. Known for his physical style of play, Shirk was named the nation's "Nastiest Hitter" by the Baltimore Sun.

Shirk is also the founder and director of Champion's Choice Lacrosse Camp and played in the National Lacrosse League for the Washington Power (2000) and the New York Saints (2002-03).

A native of Boonton Township, N.J., Shirk is married to the former Elizabeth Love. The couple currently resides in Silver Spring, Md.