Being a college football strength and conditioning coach may be the most demanding job in the nation. The characteristics it takes to be successful at the collegiate level are developed over time through hard work and perserverance.

I had the opportunity to intervidw over 60 guests on the Elitefts Sports Performance Podcast. If there is one thing consistent with the college strength coaches I have interviewed it is they are all extremely humble and willing to give everything they know for the betterment of the profession.

I hope young strength coaches take the time to listen to all 10 hours of this content and take notes. These coaches deserve the success they have but will always give away the credit. That seems like a standard trait for college strength coaches.

Jeff Connors, East Carolina

Maybe it was the fact that Jeff Connors grew up in Western Pennsylvania. Maybe it is just the fact that some of his principles and beliefs were formed the same way as mine. Whatever the reason, I connected with the former police officer through his book and then again during our interview. I resonated with the blue collar environment and the idea that sports are the ultimate escape from the reality of the steel mill and coal-mining region. Unselfish work habits were the norm and youth sports was what you did as a young boy. Contrary to today's young males without positive male role models in their lives, we grew up where father figures came in many forms. Our dads, uncles, coaches, teachers, big brothers,  and older cousins all provided us with the guidance that would stick with us for a lifetime.

Connors has done something with his book Strength Coach: A Call to Servethat has not been done very often.  He has combined a practical guide for coaching athletes with the background from where his belief system and principles were formulated.  It is a college football training manual with a backbone principle of unwavering integrity. Everything from speed mechanics to his thoughts on discipline, from max effort cycles to guidelines on hiring a staff — everything is included in this book. Connors provides some insight on the book that he wrote as a tribute to the coach that made him who he is today—his father.

Topics Covered in this Podcast

  1. What motivated Coach Connors to write Strength Coach: A Call to Serve
  2. The biggest lessons learned from his father and coach
  3. Instilling discipline in today's athletes
  4. Hiring a staff and communicating foundational principles in philosophy
  5. General overview of the off-season program
  6. Adapting the training to enhance acceleration
  7. Key components that every athlete needs
  8. Advice for young coaches trying to to get into the profession

Ron McKeefery, Eastern Michigan

Ron McKeefery cares about the strength and conditioning field almost as much as his own athletes. It's hard to imagine any other coaches who has done as much as McKeefery when it comes to providing real-world knowledge to strength coaches. McKeefery's approach has been to provide the most pertinent information for coaches to better themselves in all aspects of the profession. However, the information McKeefery dispenses is just as valuable for business owners, educators, and students as well as coaches.

McKeefery has been on the forefront of strength and conditioning coach education for his entire career. From his extensive intern program to his website, McKeeferey has given coaches the opportunity to develop as practitioners, mentors, and people. McKeefery hosts his own podcast, The Iron Game Chalk Talk, presents at multiple conferences, and still educates his own staff at eastern Michigan University. Listening to the interview will give you a much more clearer insight on the profession and what it takes to succeed in it.

Topics in the Podcast

1. His Presentation at the 2014 NSCA Coaches Conference
"Only if you sacrifice for a cause will you truly love it"

2. The "How to" of relationship building.
"We are in this instant gratification society"

3. The 3 Roles of being a Strength Coach (Technician, Manager, Entrepreneur)

4. Paying your dues in the field.
"Seventeen years in this profession and I am just learning how to ask the right questions."

5 The Internship Program and Hiring Assistants
"I try to hire what I'm not."
"Hire slow and fire fast."

6. Coach McKeefery's Biggest Influences

7. The first things that need to happen when taking over a program.
"Get the right thought into the player's head instead of their own."

8. How the weight room relates to the field

9. The importance of the lifting partner

10. The Iron Game Chalk Talk, Strength on Demand, and his transparent view on why he started his website.

11. Coach's Future Speaking Engagements

Greg Pyszczynski, Iowa State

Greg was the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for Football at Buffalo at the time of this interview

During my time as the Director of Strength & Conditioning at Denison University, I put together a speaker line-up for the 2011 Central Ohio Strength and Conditioning Clinic. I had a speaker honorarium of $0 and was depending on my networking skills to get the highest quality speakers to Granville for a hotel room and two meals. It worked most of the time. We were fortunate to have had some of the best strength and conditioning coaches speak at those small clinics.

That same year, I had Adam Feit, who at the time was the head strength and conditioning coach at Eastern Michigan University, speak on athlete nutrition. He then got hired by Joe Kenn with the Carolina Panthers — I was stuck. He recommended his replacement, Blair Wagner who spoke on team building in the weight room. It was at this clinic that I met Greg Psyzczysnki.

The next fall, we loaded a university van and drove to Ypsilanti, Michigan to meet with Blair, Greg, and the rest of the staff. Greg's evidence-based training methodologies, especially with the head and neck development, was the most thorough programming of its kind I have seen.

Greg was invited to speak at the 2012 Central Ohio Strength and Conditioning Clinic the following year. Greg presented on neck and trap development and gave one of the most comprehensive sessions to date on the topic. Greg has established himself as one of the leading practitioners in developing the head and neck to prevent injuries. Whether it is due to his humble nature, his willingness to learn from everyone he has worked with, or the impact his training has on his own life, Greg Pyszczynski is committed to helping other coaches succeed.

As Greg Pyszczynski starts his journey as a first-time head strength and conditioning coach, one thing is certain: Coach Pyszczynski will never stop learning or passing on his knowledge. He will always put the safety and needs of his athletes at the top of his priorities.

Topics in this Podcast

  1. Making the transition as a first time head coach
  2. Taking over a program with coaching turnover
  3. Transitioning a new program during Spring Ball
  4. Coach Pyszczynski's journey through coaching
  5. Coaching influences
  6. Greg's expertise on training the neck and head
  7. External factors leading to head injuries
  8. The trickle down effect with concussions
  9. Quantifiable data with neck strength
  10. The basic of implementing a program to reduce head and neck injuries
  11. Standards for neck strength and size
  12. University of Buffalo's summer program
  13. Block periodization in training Football
  14. In-Season football training adjustment with the TV schedule
  15. Motivating the next generation of athletes
  16. Advice for young strength coaches

Matt Rhodes, Morehead State

Matt Rhodes has been a staple of the elitefts™ training logs and Q&A for over a decade. Rhodes admittedly talked about the exposure of elitefts™ through powerlifting that helped land his first collegiate strength and conditioning job.

Interacting with Coach Rhodes and listening to this interview, you get a sense of his sense of duty toward his athletes, his staff, and anyone else that will take the time to listen to him. Rhodes brings a wealthy of knowledge and experience to coaching. That combined with a truthful, welcoming demeanor, it's easy to see why Rhodes has has such a positive influence on the coaching profession.

In this interview from last August, Rhodes gives straight-talk about training, programming, and everything else that all coaches need to hear. Rhodes has built a reputation on not being afraid to get under-the-bar and speak his mind. His brutal honesty is ignited by his passion for giving people the best, most simple information. Something that most of us need. Matt Rhodes

Topics in This Podcast

  1. How Matt Rhodes got to the position he is at now.  A little history.
  2. What are some of the steps Matt (and any coach) need to do when first taking over a program
  3. What are some of the biggest differences he has seen in terms of the various universities he's coached at.
  4. Basic program philosophy and how he sets up training program.
  5. The exercises Coach Rhodes could not do without, regardless of sport or season.
  6. The changes Matt has seen in the industry from when he started out.

Evan Simon, Oregon State

When I got Evan Simon on the phone, he was everything I thought he would be. His reputation as an intelligent, humble, hard-working coach came to fruition the first minute we started talking.

I sincerely feel this interview is the epitome of how our Sports Performance Podcast should go. It has all of the components necessary for a great interview — even when the host is sup-par. Due to technical difficulties, this was the second time we had to interview.

  1. He didn't hold back. He gave a tremendous amount of detail on his program.
  2. He was humble. He gave credit to everyone from his assistants, his players, his head coach, and back to elitefts.
  3. He was organized. It is difficult to go into such detail without the use of visual aids, but that is exactly what Coach Simon was able to do during our conversation.

Regardless of what level you are coaching, Coach Simon will give you a candid, detailed look into the Oregon State University strength and conditioning program. All of his information will give you a better insight on how the best get it done.

Topics in this Podcast

  1. The Journey: How Evan Simon Started in the Field
  2. The Most Important Aspects of Arriving at a New School and Implementing Your Program
  3. Big Ten and Pac-12 Stigma
  4. Goals of the Winter Phase
  5. An Overview of the Winter Program
  6. Individual Differences with Speed Components
  7. Using Prilipen’s Chart to Adjust Volume
  8. Rotating Auxiliary Movements
  9. Indicator Movements
  10. Olympic Lifting Overhead Lifting
  11. Manager of Stress
  12. Assessments of Athletes
  13. Mobility Concerns with Prehabilitation
  14. Spring Ball Considerations
  15. Staff Development (Advice for Young Coaches)
  16. Two Ways to Get Jobs in Strength and Conditioning
  17. Demeanor and Coaching Cues
  18. How to Reach Coach Simon

 

Ross Bowsher, Kent State

Ross was the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Arkansas Tech at the time of this interview.

Ross Bowsher is doing everything in his power to give the athletes at Arkansas Tech University the best experience possible. Bowsher took his experience, knowledge, and passion to a Division 2 school and holds them to a higher standards. Removing doubt, excuses, and obstacles to equip his athletes to train optimally is a large part of the process.

Bowsher has used his experience on the platform, working with mentors like Dwayne Carlise, and his own desire for education to help Arkansas Tech improve in all physical aspects of development. From communication to consistency, Bowsher sets the standards high for his athletes and himself.

Topics in this Interview

  1. How Ross Got Started in the Profession
  2. Networking through Powerlifting
  3. Mentors That Allow Their Assistants to Grow — "You Can Make It Other Ways"
  4. Training Is Training No Matter Where You Are
  5. Motivating Athletes: "You Have to Want to Have to Train"
  6. Running A DI Program at the DII Level
  7. Why Haven't Small Schools Adapted This Model?
  8. Trusting Your Assistants by Trusting Who They Learned From
  9. Velocity Based Training
  10. Using Force Plate to Determine Strength and Speed Qualities
  11. Weak Point Training at the Highest Level
  12. Brian Mann Is the Man Using VBT for Preparedness
  13. Knowing Your Athletes: Jousting Preparedness by Bar Speed
  14. Developing High Force at Slower Speeds
  15. Differences in Technique Based On Body Types
  16. From Charlie Francis to Dwayne Carlisle; From the Weight Room to the Field.
  17. Speed Work and the Weight Room Are Married
  18. Working with Throwers
  19. Weak Point Training with Throws
  20. The Law of Individual Differences
  21. You Have to Survive to Be Great at It
  22. The Best Advice for Young Coaches: Compete
  23. I Am at My Best as a Coach When I Am Training
  24. If You Have Not Pushed Yourself, These Kids Do Not Believe in You
  25. Three Things to Learn from Johnny Parker
  26. Harold Nash and Moses Cabrera Box Squat
  27. Max Effort Deadlift with Pat Ivy
  28. This Does Not Happen if You Do Not Live the Life

 

Frank Wintrich, BYU

If Frank Wintrich has learned one thing from the coaches who have mentored him along the way is to pay it forward. Just as the coaches he was able to work for, network with, and learn from would share their wisdom, Wintrich feels obligated to do the same.

This drive to give his staff, athletes, and other coaches the same opportunities that he had learning under the likes of Joe Kenn and Mark Uyeyama is what makes Frank Wintrich the quality of coach that he is. This selfless commitment to his athletes and staff can be heard in his voice and seen in his actions.

Wintrich was hired by head football coach Bronco Mendenhall to train the BYU Cougars this year. This hiring is indicative of Wintrich's extensive resume combined with a enthusiasm for coaching. The most important aspect of Wintrich being hired on multiple occasions to direct Division One programs at such a young age is who he credits. Wintrich admits he would never of reached the status where he is now without the coaches who helped him along the way. Wintrich is the epitome of what a college strength and conditioning coach should be.

Topic in this Podcast

  1. How Coach Wintrich Got Started
  2. Assessments
  3. Olympic Lifts
  4. High-Low Sequencing
  5. In-Season Training
  6. Technology
  7. The ABCs
  8. Advice for Young Coaches

 

Ted Perlak, Delaware

Ted Perlak goes above and beyond for his athletes, staff, and just about anyone who wants to get better. Now, this cliché is given expeditiously as a standard compliment for coaches, but I know first-hand how Coach Perlak's selfless attitude effects the lives of others.

When I was the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Denison University, I had a basketball player from the Bronx, NY who had nowhere to train during the summer. This young man was not the best player by any stretch and when he arrived to Granville as a freshman; he had a training age of zero. His technique was horrendous. All the more reason I needed to find a place for him to train.

At the time, Ted Perlak was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Fordham University. Ted and I knew each other through social media and talked often so I took a chance and reached out to him. I knew how busy he would be with training teams, so I understood if it wasn't possible.

Coach Perlak ended up allowing my basketball player to train there at Fordham. When I messaged that young man and asked how he was doing and how his training was going, he told me something that at the time was refreshing, but after getting to know Ted, didn't surprise me.

He wasn't lifting by himself; this teenage, DIII hooper from the Bronx was lifting with Coach Perlak and his staff as one of their own. Here is this kid just starting training, being able to learn from Coach Perlak and his staff.

Needless to say, he returned to Denison in the fall bigger, faster, and could jump higher. He developed into one of our best lifters. This is just one of the many examples of the impact Perlak has on everyone he comes in contact with. Listening to this interview, you will start to understand what I learned about him years ago.

Topics in This Podcast

  1. How Ted Got Started
  2. Development of Your Staff
  3. Sport Coach Relationships
  4. Starting Over of as a New Coach
  5. Durability
  6. Five Things Every Coach Wants and Every Athlete Needs
  7. Adjusting the Facility
  8. Communication at the Beginning of the Year to Add Buy-In
  9. The Lost Art of Technique
  10. Not What You Emphasis; What You Tolerate and What You Allow
  11. It's About Progress
  12. The Four "Knows" of Programming
  13. Why You Eat the Frog First
  14. Fitting Exercises in the Training Template
  15. Back to Front Approach
  16. The Conjugated Tier System Under Prilepin's Table
  17. Training Schedules
  18. Two 2-Week Microcycles
  19. Collision vs Contact vs Non-Contact Sports
  20. Preparing for Practice
  21. Using Velocity Based Training In-Season
  22. SS Yoke Bar and Chains for Squat Progressions
  23. Expecting the Worst to Be Surprised
  24. Nutrition with Athletes
  25. The Added Benefits of Velocity Based Training
  26. The Biggest Challenge with Freshmen
  27. What Coach Perlak does to make himself a better coach
  28. The Internet and Strength and Conditioning
  29. There Are Two Types of Strength Coaches
  30. Advice for Young Strength Coaches
  31. What Ted Learned from Joe DeFranco
  32. Personalities and Communications

 

Chris Doyle, Iowa

Elitefts posted an interview with University Iowa Strength Coach, Chris Doyle in the early 2000s. After reading that Q&A, I decided to take a chance and cold call Doyle and ask him about training.
He answered the phone and we talked training for almost an hour. Well, he talked training and I feverishly took notes. Now, he has not obligated to talk to me. He could have just blown me off.  Here I was a no-name, Division III football coach whom he'd never met before and he unveiled a plethora on information for no other reason than because I was a coach.
Fast forward to the summer of 2002. I flew from Pittsburgh to Iowa City en route to Las Vegas for the NSCA National Conference. Chris Doyle let me sleep on his couch in between observing two days of summer speed and strength training. Again, he didn't have to do that for me.
Today Chris Doyle has been the standard that I have measured strength coaches during my career is an understatement. I have been lucky enough to work for some great coaches and even better men. All of whom has been influenced and looked up to Doyle.
Chris Doyle is the epitome of what a strength coach should be and the impact he should have on his/ her athletes. After this podcast published on iTunes, I cannot count the number of eMails, messages, and tweets thanking me for having Coach Doyle on as a guest. He has meant so much to so many, that it is easy to understand how impactful this interview is. We all have a standard to aspire to as coaches. Chris Doyle just happens to be a mentor to more than most.
How Coach Doyle got started
  1. Strength & Conditioning and Football
  2. Same characteristics lead to success for any coach
  3. Sport Coach - Strength Coach Relationship
Biggest area of concern with 1st year players
  1. Be on Time, Listen-learn-apply, and work hard
  2. Teach athletes how to think
  3. Counter the recruiting process
  4. Adopt the team mindset
  5. We create habits and our habit creates us
  6. Teaching the program
Assessments
  1. Hybrid to FMS, back to a hybrid assessment
  2. Commonalities of Corrections
  3. The stack joint approach
Basic Off-Season Template
  1. The mistake of peaking everything at once
  2. 3 phases of the off-season
  3. Speed Training set-up
  4. Higher exposure, shorter volume
  5. Competitive Speed work. Measure it, rank it, post it
Exercise Selection
  1. Exercises must be: ground based, multi-joint,  and three-dimensional
  2. Five different levels in the program
  3. Block Periodization with older athletes
In-Season concerns
  1. Two different groups are either playing or not
  2. It's important to know who we are
Iowa Football
  1. We don't find talent we build it
  2. How little can we train and still gain in-season
  3. Technology to Modifying behavior vs modifying training
  4. Uncommon discipline, uncommon maturity
Developing rapport with athletes
  1. Everybody wants someone to believe in. Our job is to get people to believe in themselves - Dan Gable
  2. Flexibility with athletes
  3. Never allow your athletes to set the standards they don't know what they're capable of - Joe Moore
  4. Get in the rack and not hiding in your office
Staff Development
  1. Coach has learned more from his staff than they learned from him
  2. Read together, program together, think together
  3. Loyalty through the intern program
Advice for young coaches
  1. Maintain a beginners mindset
  2. How thirsty are you for knowledge?
  3. Read on a variety of subjects
  4. Go and visit good people
  5. Watch the best work in your field
  6. We don't coach weights we coach people - Johnny Parker
  7. Want to get paid well, offer something money cant buy
  8. Successful people aren't innovators they are early adapters - Mike Boyle

 

 

Sports Performance Coach Education Series

The elitefts™ Sports Performance Coach Education Series is a comprehensive educational resource for coaches in the collegiate, high school, professional, and private settings. This series will take a fundamental approach to various topics that will enable coaches the additional skills to enhance their coaching abilities, improve marketability in the industry, and drastically increase the impact they have upon their athletes.

  1. WATCH: How to Find a Strength and Conditioning Job
  2. WATCH: Becoming a Mentor to Young Coaches
  3. WATCH: The Four-Step Coaching Process
  4. WATCH: 5 Strategies to Perform More Work in Less Time
  5. WATCH: Why Communication is Key to a Better Coaching Career
  6. WATCH: A Better Way to Train High School Athletes
  7. WATCH: How to Implement Auto-Regulatory Training in a Team Setting
  8. WATCH: Pre-Workout Circuits to Optimize Training Time and Maximize Performance
  9. WATCH: Hypertrophy Circuits for Athletes in a Team Setting

Coaches Clinics 

  1. WATCH: Two Bench Press Mechanical Drop-Sets for Hypertrophy
  2. WATCH: Two Lateral Speed Drills with Bands to Improve Change of Direction
  3. WATCH: Adjusting the Glute-Ham Raise to Optimize Your Training
  4. WATCH: Basic Linear Speed Acceleration Drills in a Team Setting
  5. WATCH: Kettlebell Training for Team Sports
  6. WATCH: Three Dumbbell Press Variations

 Mark Watts' Articles and Coaching Log

podcast-banner

collegiate-racks-thin

half rack banner

collegiate-0-90-thin

5dfee38ebd61bedb289d686efe19181a

Instagram