This article was written by Jeff when he served as an NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach. It gives great insight into Jeff’s motivation to go into coaching and the responsibilities inherent in the title.
How and Why I became a Strength & Conditioning Coach.
By Jeff Friday
My interest in sports began at a young age. I played Little League baseball, YMCA basketball, and grade school flag football. My interest in strength training started in high school, when I missed an assembly to stay in the weight room to get a work out in. While attempting majors in psychology, sociology, and dietetics in college, I finally decided to pursue my passion of sports and strength training. After countless hours of practical experience in the strength and conditioning field and 5 ½ years of college, I graduated with a degree in physical education with the goal of becoming a strength and conditioning coach.
In order to advance in the profession, I felt I needed to further my education and my practical experience. I sent letters to every Division I school in the country, inquiring about the possibility of attending their school as a graduate student strength and conditioning coach. With three scholarship opportunities presented to me, I chose Illinois State to pursue my master’s degree in exercise science, which is essentially a degree in exercise physiology and biomechanics. With an advanced degree in hand and valuable experience as a college strength coach, I was ready for the working world.
Soon thereafter I realized there were not many full time jobs in the profession. It is basically restricted to Division I schools and professional sports clubs. An opportunity did present itself at Northwestern University, however, when I was hired as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, aiding all sports, but working primarily with the men’s and women’s basketball program. I was fortunate enough to travel with the men’s basketball team and used this opportunity to meet other strength coaches to discuss how they organized and administered their programs. During my travels I established a relationship with the Strength Coach of the Minnesota Vikings. When an opportunity presented itself on the Vikings staff; I was hired as the Assistant Strength Coach. After three productive years (all playoff teams), I was hired by the Baltimore Ravens as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach.
My responsibility as a Strength Coach is to help players reach their potential in regards to their physical development. These areas include muscular fitness, conditioning, nutrition, flexibility, and speed development. The areas of physical development are meticulously planned and executed during the off-season program, as well as during the season.
The intensity of game day in the National Football League is truly unique. You can not mimic the experience in any other profession. A Strength Coach’s game day responsibilities include stretching players (individual as well as team stretch), uniform inspection (there are strict guidelines as to what a player can wear), and sideline control (keeping players and coaches out of the white area on sidelines).
During my 12 seasons in the NFL, I have been involved in two conference championship games, a Super Bowl victory, and numerous team and player NFL records. The on-the-field success is wonderful; however what happens off the field is what gives my job importance. Coaching a player, taking him from point A to point B in their physical development, is what gives me satisfaction. The opportunity to build relationships and make a positive impact on a player’s life is what truly makes my job special.