The document provides an overview of the role and evolution of strength and conditioning coaches, emphasizing their importance in sports performance and injury prevention across various athletic levels. It outlines necessary qualifications, average salaries, and growth potential in the field, as well as the personal attributes essential for success. The author expresses confidence in their suitability for a career in this area based on their education, experience, and O*NET profiler results.

1. Strength and
Conditioning Coach
Kevin Williamson

2. Overview
• According to Human Kinetics, a strength and
conditioning coach is a fitness and physical
performance professional who designs exercise
programs dedicated specifically to improve
performance in athletic competitors.
• Strength coaches aid in prevention of athletic injury
and movement efficiency of exercises within specific
sports.
• Such sports performance professionals can be found in
all levels of athletics from the private sector to high
school, collegiate, and professional sports.

3. History
• The coaching field of Strength and Conditioning in the United
States has evolved insurmountably over the last thirty years
• Strength and Conditioning came about by the acts of former
athletes, usually football players, teaching football players how to
improve performance
• At the collegiate level, strength coaches now work with athletes
from all sports.
• Strength and Conditioning coaches were initially the “experts” only
in strength, however, as research has evolved so has this single
component focus
• The ultimate goal of the professional are seen to be:
• Developing physical resilient athletes who withstand against injury
• Improving the expression of maximal power and sport specific speed
• Improving ability to maintain optimal levels of performance

4. Important Criteria
• It is important that a fitness professional and strength
and conditioning coach knows the science
• It is critical to know what exercises get desired performance
results
• A strength and conditioning coach has to lead
effectively, be well spoken, and motivating
• Necessary credentials:
• Degrees in Kinesiology or health related field.
• CSCS, CSCCa, and/or USAW certification
• A coach must have a high level of interpersonal skills
• Organization and attention to detail is also key

5. Graduate Programs
• Colorado State University
• Master of Science in Health and Exercise Science
• Minimum GMAT Score of 600
• Requirements
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Written Statement of Purpose
• Coursework Only, No Thesis (Plan C)
• Texas A&M University
• Master of Science in Business
• Candidates must have a non-business bachelor’s degree from an
accredited university
• Prerequisite courses (A or B in the following)
• Math through calculus
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Statistics including regression analysis

6. Why?
• It is critical as a professional and a leader to be
knowledgeable
• Science of sport performance must be thoroughly understood.
In combination though, there is also an elaborate component
of business such as facility requirements, budget
management, and so forth.
• I am a prime candidate for these programs because of
my previous coursework as well as my current work
experience

7. Job: Collegiate & Professional
Strength & Conditioning Coach
• Title: Assistant Athletic Performance Coach
• Average entry level salary: $37,000+/year
• Job Requirements:
• Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science, Physical Education or
related field
• Certification in Strength and Conditioning (CSCCa, CSCS, USAW)
and minimum of one year as a full time strength and
conditioning coach
• CPR/First Aid Certification required
• The candidate must also possess strong organizational and
communications skills

8. Job: Collegiate & Professional
Strength & Conditioning Coach
• Job Experience Preferred:
• Programming and delivery of strength, power training, speed,
agility, movement assessing, and regenerative sessions
• Leadership experience
• A Master's degree in Kinesiology or other sports related field
• Experience with functional and cardiorespiratory testing

9. Growth Potential and Salary
• Director of Athletic Performance
• Average Annual Salary
• $55,000+
• High Growth Potential
• There is an average increase of $7,000-
$9,000 for mid-career (5-10 years) to
experienced (10-20 years) strength and
conditioning coaches.
• There is an expected growth of 5,400
jobs from 2012-2022

10. Skills and Qualities
• I possess many qualities that aid in my ability of being a
successful Strength and Conditioning Coach.
• I love to teach, help people, and develop personal relationships
• I have experience as a player and a coach and I am very
passionate about it
• I do not shy away from hard work or the hours needed to grow and
be better
• I have always taken special interest in the science aspect of sport
performance and strength programming
• I have majored and graduated in Public Health Science and I have
an Associates in Kinesiology; I have spent time learning the human
body in the context that applies to being a strength coach.

11. O*Net Profiler Results
• What is O*Net?
• O*Net helps in finding out what one’s interests are and how they
relate to the world of work.
• Social
• I am sincerely altruistic. With social interest, I like working with
others to help them learn and grow. I like teaching, giving
advice, and helping and being of service to people.
• Enterprising
• My interest are in starting up and carrying out business projects.
With an interest in enterprise I like to lead, make decisions, and
take risk for profits.
• Conventional
• Having a business mind and enterprising interest, it calls for
calculated risk taking. However, I also like structure and
routine. I prefer working with information and paying attention
to details.

12. Conclusion
• I believe that I possess the skills and experience
necessary to be a successful strength and conditioning
coach.
• My O*Net profiler suggested that my personality is
related to the demands of this career which will aid
me in achieving the success I wish to have in this field.
• I am excited and encouraged about the research on
this career.

13. Citations
• "Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2015. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers-
and-exercise-physiologists.htm#tab-1.
• "Strength and Conditioning Coach-- Helping Others to Improve Their Fitness." Human-kinetics.
Human Kinetics, n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2015.
http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/strength-and-conditioning-coach.
• Peterson, Clay. "The University of Iowa Strength & Conditioning." Strength and Conditioning:
History and Overview of the Field. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2015.
http://strength.sports.uiowa.edu/article/strength-and-conditioning-history-and-overview-field
• "Master of Science, Kinesiology, Coaching Education Emphasis (ONLINE)."Master of Science,
Kinesiology, Coaching Education Emphasis (ONLINE). N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2015.
http://cogs.georgiasouthern.edu/admission/all-graduate-
programs/gradprogramsbycollege/atheletics-programs/master-of-science-coaching-education/.
• "O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move." O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move. N.p., n.d.
Web. 29 Aug. 2015. http://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip.