In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Kegans from the University of North Texas Strength & Conditioning program to dissect what it takes to run a successful, high-performing department. Coach Kegans dives into the non-negotiables for their internship, revealing the rigorous selection process, the need for "eager as hell" and proactive individuals, and the resulting high attrition rate that weeds out all but the most committed. He shares the program's success in placing former interns in full-time roles, emphasizing the value of curiosity, the capacity to "grind," and effective athlete interaction as the core traits for entry into the strength and conditioning journey.

The conversation then shifts to the nuts and bolts of UNT's philosophy, covering their use of sports science to manage athlete load. Coach Kegans details their reliance on Catapult GPS for tracking total distance and Zone 5 speed, along with Hawkin Dynamics Force Plates for monitoring jump performance. He explains their innovative approach to data analytics, leveraging UNT students to customize tools like Microsoft Power BI in-house. The discussion concludes with a breakdown of the in-season training split (M-Structural Reset, W-Isometric/Power, F-Pure Power), a preference for the trap bar deadlift, and an exploration of movement optimization techniques like RPR (Reflexive Performance Reset) and the root-cause analysis of the Square One system.

SOCIAL:

https://x.com/Kegans2

https://www.instagram.com/bkegans

OTHER PODCAST COACH KEGANS HAS DONE:

https://youtu.be/i5BJrslfyBQ?si=iCbbBwyp9XUTs7r7

https://meangreensports.com/podcasts/-gmgcast-bryan-kegans/96

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/hwcp-podcast/episodes/Ep-88-Hangin-with-Coach-Bryan-Kegans-e1iag3t/a-a7t8j0h

Tune in for a deep dive into strength and conditioning with Andrew Nilo, Texas State Baseball / Olympic Director and former Hardin Simmons Cowboy. In this insightful "Chit Chat" session, Andrew Nilo shares his philosophy on goal-oriented training, moving beyond traditional sports science to focus on pressurization and biomechanics. Learn why he prioritizes addressing "hardware" (movement deficiencies) over simply adding "horsepower" (strength) to maximize an athlete's "shelf life," using his unique "engine vs. driver issue" analogy.Nilo also covers:

• The practical, time-intensive commitment of utilizing data and technology (GPS, force plates, VBT).
• The importance of highly individualized training approaches over fixed systems.
• The necessity of sprint and jump as non-negotiable movements for all athletes.
• Valuable career advice for young professionals and insights into his current role, including developing the internship curriculum.

SOCIAL:

https://x.com/NiloAndrew

https://www.instagram.com/kilos_with_nilo/?hl=en

OTHER PODCAST - COACH NILO HAS BEEN ON:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/andrew-nilo-high-level-baseball-performance/id1522528277?i=1000683427782

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/andrew-nilo-increasing-human-bandwidth-for-athletic/id1695907028?i=1000664590688

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-5-andrew-nilo-oral-roberts-university-sports/id1772982579?i=1000677367767

Coach Strobis, who recently completed his first year with the highly decorated program, dives deep into his philosophy and career path. Topics covered include:

• Sports Science & Athlete Monitoring: Why the Arkansas program prioritizes on-the-track observation over daily reliance on technology (though they utilize Tendo units and force decks in specific training blocks).
• Coaching Philosophy: His use of a master's degree in sport and exercise psychology to identify the root cause of athlete performance issues (physical, mental, emotional, or social).
• Programming: The specialized programming required for the diverse track and field disciplines, including a detailed discussion on Olympic lifts teaching progression (a 4-6 week, low-intensity, high-volume orientation) and his approach to resisted sprints using sleds for technical reinforcement.
• Recovery Protocols: Insights into their state-of-the-art recovery resources and why the team takes a hard stance against icing, preferring to let the natural inflammation process occur.
• Professional Development: Advice for aspiring strength coaches on utilizing diverse skill sets (like graphic design or PowerAI) to stand out, and his recommended resources including the books "It Takes What It Takes" and "Peak," and the podcast "Kentucky Blue."

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/sc_strobis/

In this episode of S&C Chit Chat, we sit down with Andrew Wright, Strength and Conditioning Coach for Texas Tech Men's Basketball, to explore his career journey from a PE teacher to an Elite 8 collegiate coach. Coach Wright shares invaluable insights on building athlete buy-in, starting with a conservative "one by 20" training approach, and developing a coaching philosophy that is adaptable and player-focused. He also dives into his hiring philosophy, revealing the "golden question" he asks candidates to gauge their passion for the profession. The discussion highlights the critical importance of self-reflection, professionalism, and leveraging assistant coaches to build strong relationships with athletes. Plus, he offers excellent recommendations for top internship and GA programs for aspiring strength coaches. Tune in for this candid discussion on professional growth and the demanding, yet rewarding, world of collegiate strength and conditioning.

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/trainwright_txtech/

We enjoyed chatting with Brandon Hummer, Strength and Conditioning Coach for Georgia Softball, Gymnastics, and Men's Golf. They dive deep into training methodologies, including the use of plyometrics, isometrics, Paloff press, and overhead exercises tailored for different sports. Hummer shares practical insights on game day lifts, travel adaptations, and how to successfully navigate the S&C internship landscape, emphasizing hard work, hands-on experience, and the importance of a head coach's buy-in to sport science data.

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/coach_hummer

https://x.com/Coach_Hummer

In this episode Malorie Henderlong, Auburn's women's soccer coach, discusses her career path, emphasizing the importance of making a good impression, seeking aligned roles, and personal development. She details her daily operations, use of Catapult GPS data, and philosophy on individualized training and speed integration. She advises aspiring sport scientists to communicate data effectively and understand the sport deeply. The conversation also covers interview strategies, the benefits of a shared weight room, and insights into training methodologies for soccer athletes.

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/stories/malorie_henderlong/

https://x.com/MalorieHendo

OTHER PODCASTS WITH MALORIE:

https://youtu.be/yim0sW3mSDs?si=jnZnusZUgfDmdGd-

https://youtu.be/QeowHuhc0vY?si=Ko-hAa1OHiVundDj

https://youtu.be/ziN3vTr68gs?si=RvcUp0qzyEel-v0G

https://open.spotify.com/show/6CHxJHLL6MjDbmldzjyvl5?si=76bc218a26bd4d4e

PRODUCTS / PROGRAMS:

https://marketplace.trainheroic.com/brand/malorie-henderlong-performance?attrib=585677-ig&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacAhuBtEqdBxvdtf8CUuBgI7Ij1TmoC28QnWNmZp861rQLd5G_-XLN7taCptg_aem_jofjL1CLWqtVkfJkIag8WA

https://www.instagram.com/higherpowerperformance/

In this episode, we chat with strength coach and former athlete Sarah Ramey, whose career path has taken her from the weight room to athletic administration. Sarah opens up about her journey, the challenges of finding her coaching voice, and what it takes to earn trust and lead across different sports and personalities. She shares real-world advice for female coaches breaking into the field, insight into managing relationships with sport coaches, and her thoughts on how strength programs can unify entire athletic departments. Packed with career tips, candid stories, and wisdom from years in the game—this conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about coaching, leadership, and growth in collegiate athletics.

SOCIAL:

https://x.com/sramey11?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/sramey11/

Matt Van Dyke is the Director of Sports Science for the Houston Texans. Matt is responsible for the management of training loads and other performance aspects implemented to each individual athlete in order to maximize performance and readiness. Prior to his position with Houston, Matt was the Associate Director of Applied Sports Science at the University of Texas where he was responsible for the oversight of the football team in regard to training loads and recovery processes applied in order to create an optimal level of performance. Matt has also held leading positions with the University of Denver and the University of Minnesota.

Matt has published several books on sports science, including Force is King, Isometrics for Performance and Applied Principles of Optimal Power Development with Max Schmarzo, and Triphasic Lacrosse Training Manual. He presented at the 2018 RAWO Performance Clinic on the Implementation of an Effective Annual Plan to Achieve Optimal Performance and 2015 CSCCa National Conference on Advanced Triphasic Training Methods. Matt also co-authored Triphasic Training, A High School Strength and Conditioning Manual and Balance of Power in the September 2014 issue of Training and Conditioning, and has articles on xlathlete.com, while also writing for his professional website vandykestrength.com. Matt is certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (SCCC). He earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Iowa State University in December of 2012.

LINK TO HIS SITE:

https://vandykestrength.com/

MATTS SOCIAL:

X: https://x.com/Matt_Van_Dyke

IG: https://www.instagram.com/vandykestrength/

Other Podcast Matt Van Dyke has done:

https://simplifaster.com/articles/episode-22-matt-van-dyke/

https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-60-matt-van-dyke-max-schmarzo/

https://www.nsca.com/education/podcasts/nsca-coaching-podcast/season-1/episode-13/?srsltid=AfmBOooj1qmZNiQGqWYVVTexk-Jn-cro7wiwbOlXVzgXFF2iqLTrrQ32

https://youtu.be/NXgxc319GqA?si=blgc_iNnIUQEBm-i

https://robbiebourke.podbean.com/e/episode-172-matt-van-dyke-and-max-schmarzo-isometrics-for-performance/