The evolution of the college football strength coach | College GameDay

Strength coaches are the worker bees of every college football program. They build more than muscles -- they build character … which makes sense, since most of them are characters themselves. Gene Wojciechowski explores the evolution of the strength coach, and why they terrify every college football player.
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[@CootersTowing1]

the two words that scare every college football player are... I'm pregnant

[@connorblazerod9678]

Patrick McGowan *Rape Allegation*

[@qauckerman7629]

LJ McWilliams lol yea

[@SicKid210]

I got pregannay just watching this

[@fixit3120]

Ruled Ineligible is probably about 5th on the list.

[@xMrJanuaryx]

No those are the words that scare every man on the planet, not just football players.

[@taylorbranson7790]

Crazy how just 40 years ago people legit thought weight lifting was a bad thing lol.

[@shakarussanders9911]

I know that is crazy! Football and weight lifting just go's hand and hand

[@spiritualprotector6853]

Crazy that people pay thousands of dollars for school didn’t know this.

[@gatorslim5781]

my baseball coach wouldn't let us lift weights in the early 2000s for the same reason. its a lot more recent than 40 years ago

[@tidefanyankee2428]

I'm old enough to remember when coaches said "drinking water during practice will give you cramps". Looking back, I'm honestly surprised that more people didn't die during football two-a-days in the August heat/humidity. It was f-ing crazy back then.

[@thelonewolfie34]

TideFan Yankee I know right, I went to a camp this summer with my team and it was like 105 with 90% humidity and we got water every like 20 minutes and I still felt like dying

[@tedavidson]

“It kinda started out as a joke and then it just kinda grew on me” went right over everyone’s head. 10/10 dad joke

[@CDeeez94]

3:05 - "He's obviously an internet sensation with his... _juice_ and passion."

[@bman6198]

All natural juicy-juice

[@tinyteemo]

xqcL JUICER

[@jpearson311]

My Dad played college football in the 60s. I asked him what kind of strength and conditioning he did in the off season. He said "I bailed hay and ran."

[@williamstanley5900]

Sounds about right

[@TheMrwacko55]

The two words that scare every college football player are... 6am workouts

[@GreenjeLLYBean72]

Jackson Callahan and the whistle blows at 558am to start the workout

[@andod881]

Id rather do a 6am Workout than wakeup that early and go to class

[@theianwill]

Andi Ditt working out or practicing before 6 am is way more fun than class before 9 am

[@YoutubeGM206]

@@andod881 you do understand they have morning class after there morning workouts right.

[@andod881]

Hacienda Leifi Ye Ik but still better to start the day with a good workout than just class

[@davidkramer333]

Patrick Swayze is one heck of a strength coach

[@Shmyrk]

David Kramer yo. Spot on.

[@ugoeze7360]

A cut scene from “Dirty Dancing” took place during a Nebraska football game

[@biglordebunnyrabbit627]

I was scrolling looking for someone who noticed that

[@oskarehre5410]

The two words that scare a lineman the most are..... *running laps*

[@derek723]

the highest paid S&C coach in D1 football (Iowa) had 13 players admitted to a hospital for Rhabdo symptoms. This industry still has a LONG way to go

[@mikedevyatov3213]

Derek Anthony while I agree with you on the first part, rhabdo is unfortunately something that won’t be going away in competitive sports. It’s just what sometimes happens when athletes overtrain, and athletes will continue overtraining because they have the incentive to do so as the trade-off is that they’ll more than likely not get rhabdo and will be ahead of the competition for their efforts.

[@derek723]

@@mikedevyatov3213 thanks for the feedback Mike. I respectfully disagree. Effective S&C programs are created and implemented every single day without even coming close to pushing athletes to the brink of rhabdo. It's very evident that coaches, even at the D1 level, are often times valued more for their personalities and charisma over their knowledge and expertise. This is extremely unfortunate

[@mikedevyatov3213]

Derek Anthony I agree that those programs alone don’t bring players to the point of rhabdo but most players on D1 rosters also lift on their own, and many of them will foolishly lift or do extra cardio even if they’re already very sore.

[@jcsfive5670]

This was also more than 10 years ago.

[@derek723]

@@jcsfive5670 it'll be 9 years in a couple of weeks. I'm sure that specific coach has learned from his mistakes since then, but this and many other videos have done little to convince me that college S&C culture has changed over the years unfortunately. Again, personality and charisma are often valued over knowledge and expertise

[@julianharley9428]

0:03 white DMX

[@ish562]

Lol

[@KickAndDestroy]

Half DMX and half Joe Rogan. Pure DMT

[@leetorry]

@@KickAndDestroy T's gonna give it to ya

[@dark3rthanshadows]

WHERE MY DOGS AT!!

[@yanushkagunawardena7092]

WMX or LMX ?

[@MattRadford]

Oregon's coach took all the roids so that his guys wouldn't be tempted.

[@tylerh1648]

they all juice

[@ljm_2011]

@@tylerh1648 I don’t think you saw our kids get pushed around by Iowa State. No roids there😂

[@noizman5562]

@@tylerh1648 not all

[@carljacobson7156]

As a Strength-Nerd, I was add that the first actual 'Strength Coach', as is applies to Football, was a guy named Alvin Roy from Louisiana. Alvin Roy was an Olympic Weightlifter and later a coach for the US Olympic Weightlifting teams under Bob Hoffman, at the US Olympic Weightlifting Headquarter/York Barbell Club in York, PA in the mid-1940's after WW2. A little later, Roy opened up his own Gym in his home-town of Baton Rouge, LA. There, in the early-mid 1950's, Roy helped build up a local High School Football player, named Billy Cannon. They developed Cannon's strength and power until he has literally a 'Man among Boys'. Under Roy's training, Cannon became one of the best High School players in the nation - and later one of the best College Players in the Nation, winning a Heisman Trophy and National Championship. Later, Alvin Roy was hired by the SAN DIEGO CHARGERS in the early 1960's - and then the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, who won the Super Bowl and later, the DALLAS COWBOYS, who also won the SUPER BOWL. Roy also worked with the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS and OAKLAND RAIDERS. Besides introducing cutting edges (for the time) strength training methods to Football, Roy is also known to have introduced the use of Dianabol in Football training. Roy's Assistants later went on to numerous strength coaching position around the NFL and NCAA College Football - bringing the ideas and methods that Roy used.

[@GSMillion]

As a player strength coaches are my favorite people in the program

[@candyapu3]

Aaron Feld is a national treasure

[@soonerborn7603]

candyapu3 No, he’s not. That mustache makes him look like a douche. The rest of his face makes him look like a complete moron.

[@sittingbackandwatchingital3845]

Sooner Born shut up you dumb salty southerner

[@snsproduc]

I'm sorry but Aron fields is an idiot and maybe one of the worst strength coaches in college football. Oregon will be some much better once they fire him

[@aidankearns2102]

@@snsproduc how?

[@BOOGiNS]

@@snsproduc explain

[@rooh5825]

Thank you so much for showing the brilliance of Boyd Eppley, he was a Husker icon, so far ahead of his time, as soon as I saw this video I knew you had to bring him up in order to give the current emphasis on strength coaches their due, he was the father of the modern strength programs.

[@Workout-Exercise-1]

This video is a great tribute to the strength coaches who transformed college football. It’s fascinating to see how the profession has evolved from its humble beginnings to the science-driven approach of today. Strength coaches play a vital role in athlete development, and they deserve a lot of credit for the success of college football programs.

[@ROCKS52]

There's no mention of Alvin Roy who started the first weight training program at a university in 1958 when he began it at LSU. A team predicted to finish 9th in the SEC won the national title that year. He would also become pro sports' first strength coach when he took the position with the Chargers in 1963 when he helped them win the AFL title after a bad 1962. He wasn't paid by LSU though, just did it because he was from Baton Rouge and loved LSU.

[@cguns9893]

This is the type of thing I live for. Absolutely amazing how far things have come since 1969

[@bktrainer8814]

Thanks for posting this Video.. This has always been my calling! Read about Boyd years ago! Salute!

[@rexhargrove5172]

Sure has changed since I played at Tennessee back in the 80’s. But we did have an innovator with Bruno Pauletto

[@RosteeveBellier]

Rex Hargrove wat position

[@maxdeborde6772]

In what way

[@Libunaop]

Oregon's coach doing a great job with that Defense

[@ARogolino1]

And mustache.

[@DamonNeal]

Andy Avalos man! Boise State roots make any defence killer

[@918kickinwing]

A Nebraska coach starting this makes sense. Being from Oklahoma, I can respect that. At least it wasn't some tool from Alabama.

[@StuUngar]

Jerry Schmidt is a Nebraska alum

[@JoFlirt]

The hardest thing that was flexed in this video was the Oregon 3s 4:15🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@joesmith389]

My corn fed brothers in Nebraska. We really did start something back then. I’m still 6’3” 270 and corn fed in the Nebraska heartland 🌽 💪

[@donutglazer6464]

k joe

[@joesmith389]

Jack Daniels I am though. Still live here too. Don’t know why that’d be unbelievable in any way.

[@nwansley22]

I could have sworn this was going to be a joke about now them holding the back of the head coaches' pants

[@M-dv1yj]

n I thought it was gonna be a joke bout his moustache 🤷‍♂️

[@USARvideo]

I can't believe they never mentioned Bill Starr and his classic "The Strongest Shall Survive: Strength Training for Football"

[@alyw1988]

I thought that was donut operator when I clicked

[@cheyennew811]

Same here

[@AbeAyBay]

Not all strength and conditioning coaches are equal. We had a switch after my third year in coaches so we went from a power offseason program to almost exclusively speed and light weights. We hated it. Ended up with our worst record in a decade

[@ivansalazar5448]

LSU's strength coach and BAMA's have made a difference! LSU still needs to get all the baby fat and blubber much quicker out of some their recruits! Proper nutrition also plays quite an important role!

[@tidefanyankee2428]

Many of the larger college programs now have sports nutritionists working in the athletes cafeteria. The training table has become a big deal and it should. I know Coach Nick Saban is fully on-board with having a nutritionist on their staff. 60 Minutes did a really good segment on the Bama Strength and Conditioning coach Scott Cochran.

[@_Yep_Yep_]

This was incredibly funny. Thank you.

[@TheTroystreet]

I remember Aaron Feld from watching UGA games loved seeing him out there.

[@Phillys19]

Those Jordan's tho 👀

[@CWBush73]

They missed out on showing South Carolina Football Strength Coach Jeff Dillman. Getting players hurt wherever he goes. But he does have a large voice

[@j_hORn]

dude from Oregon gets paid $250k/year

[@RussyBoyTV]

you mean $310k/year... that's cray

[@nickrogers8554]

No fuckin way? Seriously?!

[@DanL604]

Considering the importance, I say it’s more than justified.

[@Moonroofmusik]

Legend

[@dragonboy141]

Correction there are 3 words that terrify any college football player: “Get em Choppin!”

[@immanuelwalden8274]

On the line!

[@donovancavender6835]

Faxx

[@h_jonez]

Needed some motivation for my CSCS

[@jayt0321]

This is great

[@nobodyasked00-eq9yq]

Just a few decades ago strength & conditioning was nonexistent, it’s amazing to see the growth in this sect of sports. There is probably still so much we don’t know that we don’t know…the possibilities of growth and learning in this field are endless it’s so exciting. There’s nothing better than a S&C coach who strives to be a lifelong learner and has the hunger to embrace new knowledge, techniques, technology, etc. Truly no room to stay in the same place when you look at where S&C started to where it’s at today.

[@pdailey2k692]

I’m born and raised in Oregon: my first game at autzen stadium I was 3 months old when Ms. America was a young lady from Oregon, too. The Man (strength coach) downs 3 Red Bull’s and says What the flip no IPA’s (Oregon style beers)

[@burhohdzc2809]

two words that scare every college football player are : ... CHILD SUPPORT

[@illestinsomnia2668]

Bratan Burho what about "I'm pregnant." ??...

[@BRoyceEke]

Exam Day

[@matthewverner807]

Dream job 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@tomtraynor5384]

Generally overworked and u under paid as far as their influence and effect are concerned.

[@chrisdrake9934]

Good just waiting on you to get tired.... savage line

[@bigdickrod7029]

Omg thank you for your service

[@marcusxavier4436]

That stache benches 220

[@LeoNerz]

The ‘Stache! SCO DUCKS!

[@temistem4089]

2:42 straight bars lol

[@MajesticSkywhale]

?

[@PainterFRO]

Oregon coach use to be at Georgia..Look at the top of his bookshelf on the left.

[@joshuatan8746]

3:21 Steven Schapiro, you can’t fool us, bro.

[@Thejspeed2000]

The first strength coach was Alvin Roy of LSU

[@ulisesmachado1187]

Que bien, tienen gimnacio y tiempo para entrenar.Que vida tan feliz.

[@BobbertNoodle]

Man I had the worst football coaches to exist, They never practiced the hole team, just A team while everyone else stood on the side lines. They didnt even give us anything to do, not even a burpee. When off season hit I was 130 lb. and lifting was generally new to me, I knew the form but just started 2 months before the school year started. The first day we did trap bar dead's and in my free time before this I maxed at 175 at another gym, The coaches said to put 135 on without warmup, I was in a group of with 2 others but they were linemen. The set was 6 sets of 6 and the first set almost broke my back. The other sets I barely got the bar off the ground, Sure I was pretty weak but what had me leave football was the coach on the first day he said and I quote" Why cant you lift that weight and why are you even on the team" I was a center and could hit pretty hard, knocking a few 165lb linemen, I was just more aggressive but that line made me get out.

[@lowkey_fla]

This has to be one of the best jobs💪

[@robertbirch2375]

Alex Spanos is crazy💯💯💯💯

[@TheJasonCombee76]

UGA strength coach had made a TON of difference. The physicality has been improved so much.

[@percyj2463]

Coach Feld! The mustache himself!

[@TayLybb]

And they sing in Metal bands in the off-season.

[@mylescooper308]

Bruh my strength coach for middle school is a beast no cap

[@HIPZTER]

0:55 who else recognised the footage instantly?

[@taltezy2941]

My strength coach in college played at Nebraska and he would mention how he was transformed by gaining almost 40 pounds of muscle in 2 years. I see how.

[@JayVincentFitness]

Olympic lifting is a sport. And a dangerous one at that. It is not a style of weight training. I wonder so many athletes get hurt. They’re all doing the most dangerous style of “training” possible. You can build the same amount of strength and muscle using slow, controlled movements to muscle failure. Hopefully someday the athletic world will remember we this.

[@clawsoon]

As I understand it, what wins games isn't strength, but power - i.e. force times speed - and that's what they're training for. I'm no expert, though.

[@JayVincentFitness]

clawsoon what wins games is skill. If it were power or strength, then literally the most powerful and strongest players would be the best. They’re not. Christian McCaffery, Tom Brady, Julian Edelman... not particularly explosive or big or strong. Some of the best players in the NFL because of their level of skill at their positions.

[@IskurBlast]

@@clawsoon Olympic lifts don't train power they display it. The best wait to train power is simply to get stronger. Explosive athletes are born. They are not trained to be explosive. Its evident as soon as they start athletics.

[@BassAckwards2020]

Win The Day!!!

[@toxicflicks1928]

Aaron is basically our second mascot

[@99mannyl]

this guy reminds me of my old drill sergeant. if you see this ds kugler.... thank u

[@zachl8853]

Husker power baby, went to school with his son Jay

[@lenselifevlog4221]

I had to like just on principle. The stache.

[@longdongdaddyfromcincinnat9083]

They didn’t feature Scott Cochran nearly enough in this video.

[@linocappelli2765]

LongDongDaddyFromCincinnati he just puts spinners on Bentleys.

[@rodris8382]

Feld rolling up in a unicycle

[@davidcherry97]

"Up downs" is actually the 2 words that scare us football players

[@masoncat1]

Scott Cochran has been with Saban forever. He is the the secret weapon.

[@theodorebax6922]

If only he would come back to Nebraska and help us win again

[@curtisschultz661]

Northwestern's s&c coach getting paid to be a clown. Outstanding.

[@j.s.3414]

Just think what we could accomplish if we took this kind of initiative with the education side of the COLLEGE.

[@tidefanyankee2428]

Some schools/coaches do. Look up the ESPN all access for Alabama. The former QB there, A.J. McCarron talks about there being "checkers" in classes. If you are a football player there, and if you skip class you get to explain yourself to your position coach, your respective coordinator and to (makes the sign of the cross) Coach Saban....a man who doesn't take excuses. The graduation rate under Saban has gone WAY up compared to what it used to be. Coach Saban has also showed players the door for missing classes repeatedly. More and more players are seeing college for the opportunity it is in regard to education and not exclusively as a means to move on to the next level (NFL). Mark Ingram, Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner graduated in 3 years, as did the QB he played with Greg McElroy who was also a finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship. Barrett Jones an Alabama offensive lineman won both the Rimington and Outland trophies and when he left Tuscaloosa he had a Master's degree in Accountancy. Look up the Bama Cuts videos here on KZbin. Several players came back to graduate and "walk" in the ceremony and they were in the NFL....but they graduated too.

[@guidobit]

When your coach just walked out of a Peaky Blinders set

[@TheGolfClan]

I need more highlights of Alex Spanos

[@ianwhipple8842]

Welcome to The U coach Feld!

[@stevesherlock5334]

Dude with the stache looks like a jacked Tyler Childers 😂

[@JB-uv4hm]

Go Big Red!

[@d5o1001]

Two words that scare every college football player... and then the coach says "HOLD IT".... yep that would do it.

[@reterbid6215]

3:28 Looks liked a jacked Professor Eggman

[@ImmortalChaos]

I clicked because of the thumbnail. What a very fine stache that is.

[@evanhymanson266]

Go BIG RED baby

[@BRoyceEke]

Johnny Long - Tennessee

[@davedzwilewski5195]

my strength coach back in 80-85 was only about 4 exercises. Also can you consider D ball?

[@SeaHusker54]

GO BIG RED

[@brandentheultramangofighter]

1:27 what's that??? I wanna buy it

[@dillydilly7146]

Pumping out the leg press in Oregon threes

[@wesyale2887]

If that's the highest he can get his elbows up at 0:08 ...... oh boy....

[@nofumble4645]

Anyone see that “all you bro” bench @2:55??😂

[@Hesperiam]

GOOOOOO BIIIIIIG REDDDDDDD

[@robertridley1029]

I wonder if the right strength coach, along with his assistant trainers and any nutritionists, would be enough to narrow the gap between teams that get out-recruited, and whether it's enough to get guys to the NFL who otherwise wouldn't have gotten there. Central Michigan got me thinking of this. How is it they were able to get Eric Fisher drafted #1, and able to get JJ Watt and Antonio Brown ready for the NFL?

[@jasonaggarwal3450]

No, it wouldn't. I'm saying that as a strength coach

[@aparks1437]

"it started as a joke and then it just kinda GREW on me"

[@12Burton24]

Well build up muscles can make you slower if you just do slow muscle build upd training. You always have to train everything, also speed. So it was not compelty wrong but he did the right training and then its not making you slower.

[@205impala]

Man this make me want to go back to the gym and I just left the MF ROLL TIDE!!!

[@hurleyv1623]

Bro science!!

[@t4righttightlies706]

GO DUCKS!!

[@cheids11]

Go Big Red.

[@rubegoldberg6476]

I used to hear my lifting coach’s voice while sleeping... sweet Jesus

[@leelunk8235]

THAT'S CBUM AT THUMBNAIL

[@orangeboy97]

Imagine where strength and conditioning will be 10 years from now

[@AVB15]

People are gonna be even stronger lol