Advertise on podcast: Samson Strength Coach Collective

What does it take to lead a strength and conditioning staff while giving every team a strong athlete experience? Claire Quebedeaux joins Connor to reflect on her journey through athletic training and strength coaching to her director role at Ohio State University. Claire discusses hiring with intention, helping coaches learn from one another, and creating a supportive staff culture. She also explains why leadership requires actions that match your words, especially when priorities shift or challenges arise. For young coaches, she offers a reminder that an internship is an opportunity to show how you work, learn, and build relationships. Key Takeaways: Treat internships as opportunities to earn trust and demonstrate your approach to coaching. Set high standards across teams so athletes receive a consistent experience. Build relationships and a staff environment where people can learn from one another. Match leadership decisions and daily actions to the standards you communicate. Pay attention to facility details that affect athletes and staff. Keep adapting as your responsibilities and organization change.

Athlete buy-in is not created by a training program alone. It is earned through trust, consistent communication, and a genuine investment in each athlete. In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Isaiah Myers shares his journey from collegiate wrestler to strength and conditioning coach. He reflects on his experiences at West Liberty, Mississippi State, Cincinnati, and Glenville State, along with the challenges of completing demanding internships and moving across multiple states. Isaiah explains how uncomfortable situations helped him develop perseverance and adaptability throughout his career. He also discusses how coaches can earn athlete trust by building meaningful relationships, following up consistently, and using performance data to connect an athlete’s effort with measurable progress. Key Takeaways: Athlete buy-in begins with genuine relationships and trust. Coaches must consistently demonstrate that they care about their athletes. Following up with athletes can strengthen communication and accountability. Performance data can help athletes recognize the results of their effort. Coaches should explain why progress is happening, not simply present the numbers. Challenging internships can develop perseverance and adaptability. Uncomfortable career experiences often create valuable opportunities for growth. Coaches must continue learning and adjusting throughout their careers. Quote: “This is happening because you put the work in.” — Isaiah Myers

There is no substitute for experience, but the best coaches know how to combine experience with education, adaptability, and a willingness to keep learning. In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Jacob Banegas shares the path that took him from a multi-sport athlete to coaching and eventually building Built Sports Performance. Along the way, Jacob faced transfers, the disruption of COVID-19, career uncertainty, and the challenges that come with starting a sports performance business. Jacob discusses how those experiences shaped his approach to coaching and leadership. He also breaks down the importance of continuing education, simplifying sports science for athletes and parents, developing trust with clients, and knowing when to step back and recalibrate when things don't go according to plan. Key Takeaways Persistence and adaptability are critical when navigating setbacks in coaching and business. Education provides coaches with a foundation, but experience teaches lessons that cannot be replicated in a classroom. Coaches need to simplify complex training concepts to build trust with athletes, parents, and clients. Long-term athletic development should take priority over chasing short-term results. Networking and mentorship can create opportunities throughout a coaching career. Building a sports performance business requires resilience, communication, and a willingness to continually adapt. Quote "You can't cheat experience, experience is education." — Jacob Banegas

Building a successful career in sports performance requires more than understanding sets, reps, and data. It requires the ability to communicate, build relationships, remain accountable, and understand the purpose behind your work. In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Kevin Deitz, Assistant Sports Performance Coach at the University of Cincinnati, shares his career journey and the experiences that have shaped his approach to coaching. Kevin discusses his work with load management, particularly within sports like soccer, and explains the importance of continuing to learn while developing both broad and specialized knowledge. He also breaks down the core pillars of his coaching philosophy, including intent, accountability, respect, and human connection. The conversation also explores professionalism in strength and conditioning, the influence of social media and technology on coaching culture, and the importance of creating a life outside the profession. For young coaches, Kevin emphasizes networking, communication, continuous learning, and finding a purpose that leads to long-term happiness. Key Takeaways: Approach training and coaching decisions with clear intent. Accountability demonstrates respect for athletes, coaches, and colleagues. Load management requires continuous learning and an understanding of each sport's demands. Coaches can benefit from developing broad knowledge while building expertise in specific areas. Networking and cold outreach can create valuable relationships and career opportunities. Professionalism extends beyond technical coaching knowledge to communication and interpersonal skills. Coaches should lead by example in both professional and social environments. Maintaining interests outside of coaching can support long-term work-life balance. Young coaches should focus on relationships, continuous education, purpose, and happiness. Quote: “Intent with what you do is crucial.”— Kevin Deitz

Building a successful strength and performance business requires more than great programming. It requires relationships, systems, leadership, and the ability to stay authentic as the business grows. In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Estevan Lucero shares his path from athletics and education into strength and conditioning and gym ownership. He explains how his background in sports psychology and teaching shaped his coaching philosophy and helped him better understand the people he works with. Estevan also breaks down the realities of building a client base, creating systems for a growing gym, improving client retention, and maintaining a strong culture. He discusses the challenges that come with scaling a business and why coaches need to protect their own work-life balance while continuing to show up for their athletes, clients, and staff. Connect with people before trying to coach them. Authenticity helps create trust with athletes, clients, and staff. Strong systems and processes become increasingly important as a gym grows. Client retention starts with relationships and creating a community people want to be part of. Sports psychology can help coaches better understand motivation, communication, and team culture. Scaling a business requires coaches to grow as leaders, not just practitioners. Work-life balance is important for maintaining long-term success in the fitness industry. Show up consistently for the people who continue to show up for you. “Connect with people first, then coach.”— Estevan Lucero Key TakeawaysQuote

Sports science gives coaches access to more information than ever before, but collecting data is only valuable when it leads to better decisions. In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Blake Wright shares his path through strength and conditioning, his decision to pursue a PhD, and his work as a sports science consultant at Vault. He explains what effective sports science looks like in a practical performance environment and why coaches need to start with the right questions before turning to the data. Blake also discusses tools such as timing gates and force plates, balancing research with real-world coaching constraints, and creatively using technology for both testing and training. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes that data alone cannot drive a successful sports science program. Coaches must be able to communicate their findings, understand the environment they work in, and build relationships with the people responsible for putting those insights into action. Key Takeaways Ask the right questions before collecting or analyzing data to avoid paralysis by analysis. A sports scientist’s value comes from turning data into actionable decisions. Relationships with strength coaches, sport coaches, and staff are essential for implementing sports science effectively. Tools like timing gates can be used creatively beyond traditional testing. Research should inform practice, but findings must be considered within the realities of the coaching environment. Social media can be a valuable resource for learning, but information should be analyzed critically. Curiosity and lifelong learning are essential in a young and rapidly evolving field. Quote “A sports scientist can take data and turn it into decisions.” — Blake Wright

The Power of Simplicity Summary On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Adam Kolberg, Head Strength Coach at Fairmont State University, to discuss his unconventional journey into strength and conditioning and the philosophy he has developed along the way. Adam's path into strength and conditioning didn't follow a traditional route. Through internships, networking, time in baseball and private facilities, and a willingness to take advantage of opportunities, he continued building the experience needed to establish himself in the profession. Now at Fairmont State University, Adam faces the challenge of managing multiple teams and athletes within a shared facility. That environment has reinforced the importance of organization, adaptability, communication, and creating a culture where athletes are motivated to compete and improve. At the center of Adam's training philosophy is simplicity. Instead of chasing complexity for its own sake, he focuses on fundamental movements, consistency, and executing the basics at a high level. As Adam puts it, the goal is to "do the simple things savagely well." The conversation also explores athlete buy-in, relationship building, professional growth, and the role passion and humility play in building a sustainable career in strength and conditioning. Key Takeaways Focus on fundamental movements and maintain high rep integrity. Simplicity and consistency can create highly effective training programs. Organization and adaptability are critical when managing multiple teams and shared facilities. Athlete buy-in starts with relationships, communication, and trust. Internships and networking provide valuable opportunities to gain experience and grow professionally. Passion and humility are essential for sustaining a long-term career in strength and conditioning. Coaches don't need a conventional background to succeed if they're willing to learn, adapt, and put in the work. Quote "We try to do the simple things savagely well." — Adam Kolberg, Head Strength Coach, Fairmont State University

Sam McGriff has been the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Pembroke Hill School since 2013. He came into the field through a nontraditional path, earning his degree at Mizzou on an ROTC scholarship before serving in the Navy, then working as a personal trainer before Pembroke Hill hired him to supervise the weight room after school. McGriff describes those early years plainly. There was no set culture, no established standards, and attendance was entirely voluntary. Rather than trying to overhaul the room on day one, he built trust first, with athletes, then with sport coaches, and let structure follow. Each season he picked one change to implement fully instead of stacking several half-finished ideas on top of each other. That approach produced a record board, then a PR bell that started as a wall-mounted piece of gym equipment and is now a fixture wheeled out for campus-wide events. It produced "fuzz up," Pembroke Hill's plate-return standard, and a color-coded block system (red, white, blue, silver) that gives voluntary lifters something concrete to chase even with zero mandatory attendance. McGriff also built an Exercise Science class into the school day, giving him room to teach nutrition and recovery in real depth instead of squeezing it into the last five minutes of a session. Thirteen years in, McGriff's advice for younger coaches is straightforward: stop chasing the next job before you've proven what you can build at the one you have. Key Takeaways Change happens one standard at a time. McGriff rolled out a record board, then a PR bell, then the "fuzz up" standard, then a block system, letting each one take hold before introducing the next. Trust comes before culture. He built buy-in with athletes first, then sport coaches, before anything got labeled a rule. The color-coded block system (red, white, blue, silver) gives voluntary lifters a real standard to chase even with zero mandatory attendance. A dedicated Exercise Science class does more for nutrition and recovery education than anything said between sets during a session. Playing the long game means measuring impact by what you build where you are, not by chasing the next job. Quote "If I can't have an impact here, at this level, then how am I going to have an impact at the next level?" - Sam McGriff, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Pembroke Hill School Connect with Sam McGriff: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachmcgriff/ Pembroke Hill School - https://www.pembrokehill.org/athletics/strength-and-conditioning

Most strength coaches get weeks to settle into a new job. Kevin Rodriguez got four days. Kevin Rodriguez's path to Siena wasn't a straight line, but it was fast at the end. After building the strength program from scratch at Delta State and spending four years at UT-Chattanooga working with men's basketball, women's golf, and beach volleyball, Rodriguez accepted the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach job at Siena and was on campus within four days. He credits a mix of prayer, self-reflection, and honest conversations with mentors, including former UT-Chattanooga head coach Dan Earl, for helping him make the call. Once he arrived, Rodriguez treated the first weeks like an audit. He got every player's phone number from the director of operations and texted personal introductions before he'd even found a place to live. From there, he assessed the weight room, met the training staff, and ran team lifts built less around programming and more around establishing standards, energy, and trust. Rodriguez calls it going back to the same intangibles he built at Chattanooga. The location changes. The standard doesn't. Rodriguez also gets specific about how he manages pressure and emotion, both his own and his athletes'. A habit he picked up as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State, rehearsing team talks and workout explanations out loud in the car, is still part of his routine before every big moment, podcasts included. He also leans on a mantra passed down from a football coach at Delta State: take it personal, but don't be sensitive. It's the same approach he brings to coaching players through emotional moments on the court, treating them like adults instead of problems to manage. The conversation closes on expectations. Rodriguez inherited a Siena program that won its conference last season, the same situation he faced walking into UT-Chattanooga the year after a conference championship run. He talks through UT-Chattanooga's NIT championship season, a run built on patience through a rocky start, and the lesson he's carrying to Siena: enjoy the big moments, because not every coach gets one. Key Takeaways - Getting player phone numbers and sending personal introductions before arriving on campus builds trust before day one. - Rehearsing high-pressure conversations out loud, a habit from his graduate assistant days at Mississippi State, keeps him composed in team talks and media moments alike. - Take it personal, but don't be sensitive: a mantra that turns criticism into fuel instead of self-doubt. - Treating athletes like adults defuses conflict faster than trying to manage or control it. - Winning the NIT at UT-Chattanooga taught him to sit in a big moment instead of rushing back to work. Quote "Take it personal, but don't be sensitive." — Kevin Rodriguez, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Siena College

Ryan Horn has spent 20 years building strength programs, and almost none of that time has looked stable from the outside. Horn's path runs through Robert Morris, Virginia Commonwealth (where he became the school's first full-time strength coach), Tulsa, and seven years at Wake Forest under Danny Manning. After being let go from Wake Forest following COVID, Horn spent two years outside college athletics entirely, training soldiers with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Savannah, Georgia. From there it was Wichita State, Drake, a return home to West Virginia, and now Indiana. Horn and host Connor Agnew dig into what that kind of instability actually teaches a coach. Horn's answer keeps coming back to one idea: stop chasing permanence and start chasing presence. Roles end. Jobs change. What matters is whether you were fully in it while you had it. He connects this directly to mentorship, arguing that a good mentor's job gets harder, not easier, because they take the time to teach instead of just execute. And he's candid about the trap of comparing career timelines on social media, pointing out that the context and luck behind someone else's fast rise almost never makes it into the post. The conversation closes on family. Horn's son is now an Olympic weightlifter who interns under him at Indiana, and Horn talks openly about what it's meant to coach alongside his own kid, and about how losing both his parents in recent years reshaped how he thinks about time with the athletes and people in front of him right now. KEY TAKEAWAYS - Seek presence and impact in a role, not permanence. Every job has an expiration date, and treating it otherwise costs you the time you actually have in it. - A real mentor's job gets harder, not easier, because they take the time to teach instead of just execute. - Comparing your career timeline to someone else's on social media ignores the context and luck behind their path. - Avoid becoming the coach who dismisses a new idea because "we did that 20 years ago." Curiosity is the job, not a phase of it. - Losing both parents reshaped how Horn thinks about finite time with his family and his athletes. QUOTE BLOCK "There's no permanence in any role. It's just presence." - Ryan Horn, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Indiana University

Eddie Ramirez took an unconventional route into strength and conditioning. He spent his teenage years and early twenties as a competitive breakdancer before a friend showed him that college strength coaching was even a career path. Internships at Syracuse and Texas followed, and by the time he wrapped his stint with Texas football in 2019, he knew this was what he wanted to do for good. Now in his fourth year at Indiana University, Ramirez works with volleyball, men's and women's swimming and diving, and men's golf. Volleyball has been his primary focus, and he's been direct with his athletes from day one. Competing with programs like Wisconsin, Purdue, and Nebraska, teams that lean on deep talent pools, meant Indiana needed something else to close the gap. Ramirez calls it grit, and he builds it by refusing to sugarcoat hard training while staying honest with his athletes about his own tough stretches. That same directness shapes how he works with the program's international athletes. Rather than expecting them to adjust to a new sport system and a new country on the same timeline as everyone else, Ramirez has taught himself greetings and coaching cues in his athletes' native languages, including Russian and Turkish, to shorten the adjustment period and build trust early. Key Takeaways - Competing with programs that out-talent you requires a deliberate culture decision, not just harder workouts. Ramirez tells his volleyball team upfront that training will be uncomfortable, and backs it up by being vulnerable about his own hard moments. - International athletes are managing two adjustments at once: a new training system and a new country. Ramirez shortens that gap by learning basic phrases and coaching cues in their language. - Skill progression should be athlete-paced, not calendar-paced. If a full clean takes a year to teach safely, that's the timeline he uses. - His own path into the field was nontraditional. Five years as a competitive breakdancer came before he even knew college strength and conditioning existed as a job. - He's actively working to close a skill gap this year: getting sharper with GPS and data tracking through Catapult. Quote Block "It's not because I hate you guys or think you're out of shape. We've got to have a little extra when we're competing against these big-name teams." - Eddie Ramirez, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, Indiana University

Devin Young, Senior Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Pittsburgh, did not take a straight path into the profession. He grew up chasing a hockey career through the junior ranks, walked on at Fitchburg State, and did not make the team. That setback pushed him into exercise science and a string of internships at UMass Lowell, Eastern Michigan, Princeton, St. Francis, and James Madison before he landed his first full time job at North Carolina A&T. Young was the department's director during COVID, running a football strength program with roughly 100 athletes, five platforms, a fraction of the normal equipment, and a single part time, uncertified assistant. He walks Connor Agnew through the daily problem solving that era demanded and how it shaped the coach and communicator he is today. The conversation centers on what Young says has done more for his growth than any book: investing directly in mentors through site visits, cohorts, and phone calls, because a mentor can answer the follow up question a book cannot. He connects that philosophy to Pitt's staff culture, weekly continuing education, and the summer internship program he now runs, where he is trying to give young coaches the same head start his own mentors gave him. Young's fastest growth as a coach came from investing in mentors and site visits rather than books alone, calling it the difference between reading about a problem and actually getting it answered. Directing a strength program during COVID with no staff and constantly rotating athlete pods forced Young to build rapid problem solving and communication skills that still define how he coaches today. Pitt's staff runs weekly continuing education and full peer reviewed program audits, using force plate data and KPIs to catch blind spots without turning it into a competition. Posting workouts and running a handwritten whiteboard series forces him to be certain of what he is teaching before it goes public, sharpening his own knowledge in the process. Pitt's summer internship runs on daily meetings, a full 15 week programming project, guest round tables with outside coaches, and live coaching drills that get progressively harder, built to give interns the same mentorship head start he got. "I'm a big believer in finding people who are doing what you believe in and reaching out to them. Go intern for them. That's the best way to learn, because now you're hands-on, learning and doing at the same time." Guest: Devin Young, Senior Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, University of Pittsburgh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devin_sc_coach/ Versatile Training Academy, Devin's side company (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/vta_sports_performance_/ | linktr.ee/VTAcademy University of Pittsburgh Strength & Conditioning (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/pitt_sportsperformance/ Devin's staff bio, Pitt Athletics: https://pittsburghpanthers.com/staff-directory/devin-young/3836 Talkin' Pitt Podcast: Spotify | Apple Podcasts Keywords: Devin Young, University of Pittsburgh, Pitt strength and conditioning, strength coach mentorship, COVID training protocols, program audits, continuing education, Talkin' Pitt podcast, internship program, Connor Agnew, Samson Strength Coach Collective

On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at UT Tyler, Morgan McCrary, joins us to discuss his journey through nearly every corner of the strength and conditioning profession. From JUCO athletics and private sector coaching to the collegiate level, Morgan explains how each experience shaped his coaching philosophy. Throughout the conversation, Morgan emphasizes that relationships, communication, and trust are the foundation of every successful program. He shares how he builds athlete buy-in, develops accountability, and encourages athletes to "flip the switch" once they step into the weight room. Morgan also reflects on overcoming setbacks, staying motivated throughout his career, and why adapting your coaching to the environment and athlete is essential for long-term success. Key Takeaways Building trust starts with genuine relationships and consistent communication. Every coaching environment offers valuable lessons that shape long-term growth. Athletes perform best when expectations and accountability are clearly established. Adaptability is one of the most valuable traits a strength coach can possess. Career setbacks become opportunities when approached with perseverance and a growth mindset. Quote "I call it flipping the switch. Whatever you've got going on outside of the weight room, when you're in the weight room, it's time to go." — Morgan McCrary

On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Bailee Sturgeon, Coordinator of Certification and Education for the CSCCa. Bailee provides an inside look at the administrative side of strength and conditioning, explaining how certification, accreditation, continuing education, and conference planning all contribute to the profession's growth. She shares her journey from collegiate athlete to organizational leader, discusses the importance of mentorship and relationship building, and explains how maintaining high standards benefits coaches across the industry. Bailee also gives listeners an update on exciting initiatives coming from the CSCCa and encourages professionals to become more involved within the organization. Key Takeaways How Bailee transitioned from athletics into organizational leadership. What goes into maintaining the CSCCa certification process. Why accreditation matters for the future of strength and conditioning. The year-round work required to organize conferences and continuing education. How strong relationships create opportunities throughout your career. Advice for coaches interested in leadership and administrative roles. New updates and opportunities available through the CSCCa. Quote: "It's always been about the people and giving back to the people... knowing what I do matters so much—not only to the strength coaches that matter to me, but also making sure the CSCCa certification maintains that gold standard." — Bailee Sturgeon

On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Kainon Clark, Associate Director of Football Performance at Washington State University. Kainon reflects on his path through the strength and conditioning profession, highlighting how experiences at multiple programs helped shape his coaching philosophy and approach to athlete development. Throughout the conversation, Kainon discusses the importance of moving outside your comfort zone to gain new perspectives, balancing sports science with traditional coaching principles, and tailoring training to meet the unique demands of football positions. He also shares valuable lessons learned from working alongside respected leaders in the profession and explains why relationships remain one of the most important aspects of long-term success in coaching. Key Takeaways Moving between programs can accelerate growth and broaden coaching perspectives. Developing your own coaching philosophy requires exposure to multiple environments and mentors. Effective football training balances sports science data with practical coaching experience. Position-specific demands should influence program design and athlete development strategies. Strong relationships and mentorship opportunities are critical for career advancement. Building connections within the profession creates lasting opportunities and support systems. Quote "Realizing how small this industry is, but also the fun, beneficial connections that you don't realize you get to run into. It's always fun, but it connects you as a staff." — Kainon Clark