Al Vermeil | A Coaching Legacy Across Professional Sports

Few strength coaches have shaped sport performance like Al Vermeil — the only strength coach to earn championship rings in both the National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA). In this Gatorade Performance Partner Special Episode, Vermeil shares how a career built on explosiveness, adaptability, and relentless curiosity has transformed teams at every level. From advancing plyometrics and Olympic lifts in the 1970s to creating the performance pyramid and the innovative “time machine” testing system, his methods have influenced generations of coaches and athletes worldwide. Known for blending timeless principles with fresh, actionable ideas, he explains how mechanics, group management, and collaboration create consistent results and lasting trust. Along the way, Vermeil offers rare perspectives on coaching longevity, revealing how his adaptability and curiosity have kept him learning — and lifting — into his 80s. Gain practical insights to keep explosiveness central, integrate performance science, and strengthen your long-term coaching impact.

Reach out to Coach Vermeil by email at: a60vermeil@sisna.com | Email Jon Jost at: jonathan.jost@pepsico.com | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs or LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs.

This special episode is brought to you in part by Gatorade Performance Partner. Learn more and join their community at GatoradePerformancePartner.com.

Show Notes

“My overall philosophy never really changed. […] I always felt that the most important thing in performance was explosive power because in the sports I dealt with, it's instantaneous. It's an impulse.” 2:20

“I always recommend young coaches - if you really want to be good, go learn to coach a team sport. I don't care if it's seventh grade girls basketball or boys. Learn, know how to organize groups.” 9:35

“The other thing I recommend young coaches do is go out and learn how to coach olympic lift, even just one of them and track and field because you'll learn mechanics.” 10:05

“Well, you don't have time in sports, whether it's football, baseball bat. When you're accelerating, especially-- you don't want to wind up. And if you're in football and you're a wind up tackler, you just got run over by the running back.” 16:50