Strength and Conditioning Coach Questionnaire
Ron Burmeister 
For EliteFTS


1. What are your name, age and current position?

Ron Burmeister, 32, Phy Ed Teacher (Strength/Conditioning)

2. What kind of educational background do you have?

B.S.- Exercise Science / Physical Education / Adapted Physical Education / Health Education; Internships/Grad Assistantships: ASU, Green Bay Packers, University Wisconsin Oshkosh.

3. What strength coach has had the most impact on you and why?

Rich Wenner and Kent Johnston- They were excellent teachers, explained the whys and why nots and had open minds.

4. Do you still compete in athletics?

Powerlifting

5. What are the most common mistakes that you see strength coaches make?

They won’t accept new ideas or try to learn more.

6. What mistakes have you made as a strength coach?

Followed NSCA protocols too long.

7. What tips and tricks can you share that have made your strength and conditioning program better?

Always try to learn more, read, read, read… listen to the athletes and be willing to modify.

8. What are the most glaring weaknesses you find in athletes?

No desire to push there limits of ability; why be good enough when you can always be better. 

9. Are there any exercises that you feel every athlete, regardless of sport, should do?

SQUAT

10. What is the biggest obstacle you have to face as a strength coach?

Administration.

11. How do you deal with hesitant and/or stubborn coaches that don't agree with 
your program?

Show them results, and the reason/science behind the training and principles. There are always athletes that are doing the right thing and if the coach refuses to see the benefit I encourage the athlete to achieve more through what I am teaching.

12. What advice would you have for those wishing to become a strength coach at 
the collegiate level?

Spend time in the trenches… work the long hours, lift (do it all)! 

As in my case, do just the opposite of what I am about to say… I never kissed butt (kiss a lot of butt), I became C.S.C.S. certified then told them to kiss off (don’t trash the C.S.C.S. certification and tell them to kiss off), and don’t voice your opinions or share ideas (suck on it in the middle and let them think they know all)… yes, this is a touchy situation… after I learned something and started to read and question I got pushed out… Reason being, I found a better way to train athletes and myself… Louie Simmons opened my mind with knowledge.

13. How do you explain your system/program to your athletes so that they 
understand what they are doing? Or do you do this at all?

I teach them what the training system is… how it works … and why it is a better way to train…(thus, if something doesn’t make sense I can go back and find a better way to train- or simply figure out how I can teach better or learn more) all this is an ongoing process while they are training- I have this way of teaching and training due to the mentors of Kent and Rich- Thanks guys!.