Describes the career of a collegiate strength and conditioning coach.

1. Collegiate Strength and
Conditioning
By Lydia Hanewich

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.”

5. Educational Background
● Undergraduate degree in
exercise science-related field
● Collegiate Strength and
Conditioning Coach (CSCS)
Certification

6. Prior Experience
Internships
○ 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Hours
● Time demanding
○ 9-14 hours per day
● Consecutive days without an off-day
○ Often travel on weekends with
sports team

10. Salary
➢ Average salary per
year= $39,622

11. Graduate School Programs
Graduate 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

12. Qualities of a Good Strength Coach
Good communication skills
Good interpersonal skills
Vocal
Motivating
Collaborative

13. 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

14. 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.

15. References
Graduate 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.