Collegiate Strength and Conditioning

By Lydia Hanewich

What is a Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach?● Enhance athletic performance in student-

athletes

● Train collegiate athletes to develop

strength, power, explosiveness, and

athleticism

● Prevent injury in collegiate athletes by

increasing their mobility and flexibility

History of Collegiate Strength and Conditioning● Bob Devaney, Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at the University of

Nebraska, was the first coach to hire a full-time strength and conditioning coach

○ Bob Devaney had five successful seasons with the Huskers

○ ‘67 and 68’ seasons, the Huskers failed to reach a post-season bowl game,

which questioned Devaney’s coaching position

○ Devaney decided to make a change to the football program by hiring a

strength and conditioning coach by the name of Boyd Epley

○ Nebraska’s football team thrived after hiring Epley and went 9-2 during the 69’

season

● At the time there were no other colleges with strength and conditioning coaches

● Boyd Epley created a directory of strength coaches and created the National

Strength Coaches Convention to create awareness for collegiate strength and

conditioning

● July 30, 1978 National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Conference

NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association)

“The NSCA brings together a

diverse group of professionals

from the sport science, athletic,

allied health, and fitness

industries. Its initiatives are

governed by a board of nine

directors and managed by an

executive director and staff to

carry out business.”

Educational Background● Undergraduate degree in

exercise science-related field

● Collegiate Strength and

Conditioning Coach (CSCS)

Certification

Prior ExperienceInternships

○ Completed in collegiate weight room

setting

○ Interns shadow strength and

conditioning coaches to learn the

fundamentals of coaching

○ Interns get hands on experience while

working with collegiate athletes

Why is it important to intern?

❖ Gain experience

❖ Make connections

❖ A good internship will get you a good

recommendation

➢ good recommendations are

important to have while applying

for strength coach or graduate

assistant positions

Graduate School Duties: program workout regimens for collegiate

athletes and work closely with strength and

conditioning coaches

Pay: Graduate school is typically paid for, while the

grad assistant works in the weightroom

Advantage:

GA’s are more likely to be hired as a strength coach upon

graduating

recommended for those who want to quickly advance positions

within the strength and conditioning field

Hierarchy of Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Positions Football

Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

Olympic Sports

★ Football has the

highest pay and

prestige in the strength

and conditioning field

Hours● Time demanding

○ 9-14 hours per day

● Consecutive days without an off-day

○ Often travel on weekends with

sports team

Salary

➢ Average salary per

year= $39,622

Graduate School ProgramsGraduate Assistant Opening at East Carolina University

Duties:

Assist with strength and conditioning responsibilities

Supervise athlete training sessions

Demonstrate exercises to athletes

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis in Exercise Science, admittance into master’s program at East Carolina

University, First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator use certification

Preferred Experience:

CSCS certification through National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) or certification through

CSCCa

Participant in collegiate athletics

Qualities of a Good Strength Coach Good communication skills

Good interpersonal skills

Vocal

Motivating

Collaborative

My Educational Background Major: Health Science, Concentration in Health Promotion & Education

Minor: Athletic Leadership

Relevant Coursework Completed:

Scientific Basis of Coaching I: Exercise Physiology

Theory of Prevention & Treatment of Athletic Injuries

Human Anatomy and Physiology I & 2

Principles of Coaching

Human Health and Disease

Why am I a good candidate?As an Division I student athlete, I have gained

numerous skills that will help me succeed within

the strength and conditioning field. While working

with my teammates, I have learned to overcome

challenges and work collaboratively with others. I

also have learned the importance of good

communication skills. I have very good

interpersonal skills, since I love working with

others and making connections. My goal as a

strength coach is to form a strong bond with my

athletes and push them to be the best they can

be as an athlete and person.

ReferencesGraduate Assistant- Strength and Conditioning. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2016, from

http://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/8128807?utm_source=BoxwoodIndeed&utm_medium=Indeed&utm_campaig

n=Boxwood%2BIndeed%2BFeed&source=indeed.

How to Become a Strength and Conditioning Coach: Career Path Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2016, from

http://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/kinesiology-careers/how-to-become-a-strength-and-

conditioning-coach

NSCA History. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2016, from https://www.nsca.com/NSCA_History/.

Strength and Conditioning Coach Salary. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2016, from

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Strength_and_Conditioning_Coach/Salary.