NSCA’s Coaching Podcast

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

What's behind enduring success at the highest level of college athletics? Kate Smith, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Michigan, shares insights from nearly 14 years of experience coaching multiple sports in a competitive collegiate environment. Smith emphasizes sustained excellence through adaptability, genuine curiosity, and openness to opportunities — even outside of athletics. Drawing on her private-sector experiences, she explains how diverse roles helped shape her flexible, athlete-centered philosophy. Smith candidly addresses current collegiate challenges, including navigating Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) distractions and adjusting motivational strategies across team cultures and generations. As a Certified Performance and Sport Scientist® (CPSS®), Smith highlights how integrating data-driven insights helps her create a more effective training environment. This expertise uniquely positions her to bridge athletics with academics, deepening collaboration on campus-wide performance initiatives. Learn how to implement practical strategies for keeping athletes engaged amidst external pressures, leverage performance data meaningfully, and continually refresh your coaching approach. Connect with Kate via email at kannehay@umich.edu and on Instagram: @katehaycock | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs  Show Notes“Social media, as well, presents its own challenge with the mental health aspect, where if they post something as part of an NIL deal, but then have comments that are bullying comments or derogatory comments, what have you, making sure that they understand that this is-- it doesn't speak to who they are as people.” 15:00“I don't know how many times I've had athletes come up to me now and ask, hey, I saw this exercise on TikTok. Can we do this in our lift? Well, like, how do we get them to understand this might be a great exercise, but in a different context? When we're training for a specific sport and we're in a certain time of the year within our annual plan, this might not be the best exercise. So how do we get them to buy into what we've planned out with the amount of information that they have in their hands?” 20:50“I like to say, always leave the door open. If there's something that sparks your interest, it's sparked it for a reason. So pursue it. Look into it. Don't close the door on it because it might not be directly related to strength and conditioning.” 33:20

Coaching elite mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes demands creativity, adaptability, and a global mindset. Gavin Pratt, Senior Director of Strength and Conditioning at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Performance Institute, shares insights from his international career. Pratt reflects on preparing athletes for the Chinese National Games and managing strength and conditioning at the world’s first MMA academy in Shanghai. Applying a systems-based approach, he tackles MMA’s unique challenges — including unpredictable training schedules, diverse personalities and backgrounds, session intensity, and load management. Driven by passion rather than prestige, Pratt emphasizes he’s never been a "tracksuit hunter" — someone motivated primarily by titles or status. He highlights MMA’s innovation potential, especially when using individualized technology based on athletes' force or velocity deficiencies. Pratt contrasts the United States’ expertise in speed, agility, and change of direction with Australia’s early adoption of sports science. He also provides valuable interview advice to help coaches communicate effectively under pressure. Discover practical strategies to elevate your coaching impact. Connect with Gavin via email at gpratt@ufc.com and on Instagram: @gav_pratt | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs   If this episode sparked your interest in MMA and other combat sports, take the next step by joining the NSCA Combat Sports Special Interest Group (SIG) on LinkedIn. Connect with a global network of professionals shaping the future of performance. Inspired by Nick Barringer’s recommendation? Register early to save on 2025 NSCA Tactical Annual Training. Catch Barringer’s talk on performance bloodwork and more nuggets of wisdom.Show Notes“You're not an electrician whose license only works in a certain state of your country and you have to stay there for your whole career. We have an opportunity to see the world, see different experiences, and understand even our own industry better.” 7:20 “It's getting out of your comfort zone, no matter how uncomfortable that is. That's probably up to the individual. But there's a journey as part of any career. You can't skip the queue. There's a process to accumulating knowledge and experience. So you might have all the Xs and Os down pat, but even the inexperience might not allow you to express that knowledge as well as maybe you could. That's part of the journey, as well, learning what works and what doesn't for different athletes and different colleagues, even. It's part of the process, and you can't rush it.” 10:40 “We need to find people that understand the science, but have an even better understanding of how they can communicate that simply and effectively to colleagues and athletes. That is the skill set of being an S&C coach ultimately. […] You can have all the knowledge of the theory, but if it doesn't come from here and be expressed from a really simplistic standpoint, then it's not as valuable as what it could be.” 23:50

How do you find your coaching voice? Michelle Pifer, Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning at Rutgers University, shares how mentorship and professional communication helped her establish an authentic coaching identity. Reflecting on her extensive intern journey across Ivy League and Division III athletics, Pifer highlights key milestones that shaped her coaching approach. These include observing experienced coaches, applying constructive feedback, and effectively navigating challenging athlete personalities. She offers practical strategies, such as structured time-blocking and maintaining clear boundaries, to accommodate athlete accessibility, in-season travel, and work-life balance. Pifer discusses how coaches must adapt to evolving roles, like managing and interpreting athlete monitoring technology. She also addresses common coaching pitfalls, including inappropriate language during presentations, stressing that coaches can be both authentic and relatable without sacrificing professionalism. Tune in to clarify your coaching identity, enhance your professional skillset, and maximize your impact in the strength and conditioning profession. Connect with Michelle via email at mpifer@scarletknights.com, on Instagram: @coach_pifer, and on Twitter/X: @coach_mpifer | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs Show Notes“Normally, my day, let alone my week, is already planned out. So for me, it's just staying true to that because I already probably made a commit to somebody else.” 9:50 “Those mentors allowed me to be like, how is she going to address that? How is she going to handle that? And they authentically let me do it. And luckily, I definitely have a little bit more of like I'm going to nip that in the bud type of personality that I handled them well. And getting that experience but then also getting that feedback from them was a big, big milestone because I think as a young professional, finding your coaching voice, finding what is appropriate, and not appropriate, effective is super hard in a coach. And for me, that was a huge milestone” 14:40 “Then you're gaining coaching experience and on top of that, addressing some unfamiliar areas, maybe athletes you haven't worked with in the past, sports you haven't worked with, challenging personalities, all the different areas that we address in this field at times.” 15:50 “I think it's the context, your demeanor, your tone. And are you authentic?” 29:45

Do you know your legal blind spots? Attorney and former collegiate strength coach Reed Wainwright explores how legal expertise reinforces professional standards in strength and conditioning. Wainwright has been instrumental in developing NSCA resources that help professionals mitigate the inherent risks associated with athletics. He highlights key areas — such as facility safety, equipment management, and emergency preparedness — that help coaches effectively advocate for their athletes and protect their careers. Emphasizing professionalism, Wainwright notes, "the more professional we act, the more professional we're perceived.” He underscores why enhancing public perception is crucial for improving compensation, overcoming stereotypes, and supporting long-term field growth. Wainwright also reflects on how his precise, methodical approach as a strength coach has translated seamlessly into his legal practice. Discover actionable strategies to help minimize risk, stay protected, and elevate the strength and conditioning profession. Contact with Reed via email at reed@wainwrightattorney.com and on LinkedIn: @reed-wainwright | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs Review the NSCA Strength and Conditioning Professional Standards and Guidelines (PDF) to identify liability risks, improve safety, and enhance program quality. Watch Wainwright’s session, What's Our Standard of Care?, and its implications on liability from the 2017 NSCA Coaches Conference. Stream Wainwright’s free Legal Considerations series on NSCA TV for guidance spanning participation screening to emergency planning. View Wainwright’s session, Standards in Strength and Conditioning, on the NSCA YouTube channel for more insights, including case examples.Show Notes“You've got to make sure that you are focused on their development based on, number one, what has been scientifically proven and, number two what has your experience showed on a consistent basis.” 4:00 “Another topic along these lines is emergency planning and response, and that's one of the other legal areas we talk a lot about in strength and conditioning. Are you, as a strength and conditioning coach, involved in your institution's emergency action plan? Are you knowledgeable in that area? That's an area that could be a huge liability.” 8:27 “Maybe you do need a alternative licensure to become a teacher to get your foot in the door, but there are institutions that are hiring CSCS strength coaches to come in because they add value.” 17:20

How do you build a sustainable high-performance culture despite yearly assistant coach rotations and demanding schedules? Alice Read, Assistant Athletic Director for Sport Performance at Vassar College, shares expertise from managing 29 teams and 600 student-athletes while continuously "riding the rollercoaster" of Division III scheduling. Read explores strategies for maintaining program continuity, including matching assistant coaches to sports based on strengths and growth areas. She emphasizes advocating for daily staff lifts to test and refine programs firsthand. In a full-circle moment, Read, once an NSCA Foundation Assistantship Recipient, now serves on the committee awarding these opportunities, demonstrating the value of early professional involvement. She also discusses collaborative problem solving within the Liberty League Strength and Conditioning Committee and explains how the College Coaches Professional Development Group (PDG) provided boots-on-the-ground guidance for the 2024 NSCA Strategic Plan. Tune in for actionable insights on mentorship, collaboration, and longevity in collegiate strength and conditioning. Connect with Alice via email at aread@vassar.edu and on Instagram: @ajpr3 and @vassar_strong | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs Show Notes“I think I'm the coach I am today because I was thrown right into the fire. I definitely had good support, so I wasn't going to fail. […] I want to give young coaches the kind of experience I had, which was get your feet wet right out the door and experiment yourself so you can really understand how your programs are working.” 3:40 “I think especially to younger coaches, I think that for so long you're thinking, what's the next step to push my career forward? I need to build my network or things like that. I think it's important to think outside of just yourself. I think at some point, you have to take a step back and think, OK, this career is treating me really well, or I'm building all these networks to get me to that next dream job or whatever it might be.” 18:15 “My advice is that you're never too young to get involved, […] get involved in some way on a small level, even if it's just attending your first national conference. Get to a conference. Attend some of these meetings you feel really passionately about. And don't be afraid to speak up.” 18:45

Dan Perlmutter, Director of Sports Performance at Duke University, redefines toughness in coaching as adaptability and positivity. He discusses building a vibrant, people-focused culture in sports, emphasizing relationships and mentorship for interns. Perlmutter shares insights on how to navigate changes like NIL deals while maintaining a strong team environment. He highlights the inquisitive nature of college athletes at elite schools and champions a coaching philosophy rooted in gratitude and community engagement. This conversation offers valuable blueprints for aspiring coaches.

Sam Moore’s path into sport science is defined by taking risks and chasing meaningful questions. After a devastating knee injury as a collegiate athlete, Moore not only returned to compete, but she also discovered her calling in strength and conditioning. She recounts her coaching, sport science, and hybrid roles prior to leaving a full-time position to pursue her PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Moore describes sport science as problem-solving and drawing evidence across disciplines to drive innovation. She discusses her research on female athlete availability in elite settings, including nuances like body composition, recovery, and high speed exposure in training. Moore advises young professionals to remain open-minded, pitch their ideal position if it does not exist, and go “all in”— knowing one decision does not define forever. Whether you are a coach or researcher, this episode delivers real-world insights on navigating your career with courage and curiosity. Connect with Sam on Instagram: @sammoorestrong and Twitter/X: @SamMooreStrong | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs  Show Notes“One of the biggest pieces of advice that I feel like was helpful for me in my career was that you can-- if you're good enough at something, somebody will pay you to do it. So, there might not be a job out there that is what you want to do with the description that you want. That's OK. You can go in, and you can sell it.” 18:53 “I think it was my mom that told me whatever choice you make is the right one because it's the one you made, and you don't have to do something forever. You can work a job for one year or for six months, right? […] I think that was really helpful for me to make a switch to that kind of mindset when it comes to my career rather than thinking I had to have it all planned out for the next 10 years at every point and every move.” 24:00 “In terms of any advice for the coaching world […] just being really curious and being transparent about it, I think is really important. And that's what's going to help drive us along.” 39:16

Former collegiate hockey athlete Cole Hergott thrived in the offseason, but it took a setback to accelerate his path in strength and conditioning. After losing his spot on the team, he channeled his work ethic into interning with Trinity Western University. Years later, he returned to his alma mater as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Only 25 at the time, Hergott recounts the unique challenge of coaching athletes who were older or previous classmates. Leading over 300 athletes as the sole full-time strength and conditioning coach, he quickly learned to “write all your plans in pencil,” while building trust, optimizing logistics, and adapting through COVID-19 disruptions. Hergott emphasizes mentorship and encourages coaches to lean on those who navigated similar challenges. As part of the NSCA British Columbia Advisory Board, he encourages listeners to share their practical insights at local events. Hergott’s journey underscores the value of continual growth and embracing uncertainty. Connect with Cole via email at cole.hergott@twu.ca | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs  | Join the NSCA Canadian Community on LinkedIn! Learn more about volunteering with the NSCA at the local level at NSCA.com/Volunteer. Interested in presenting at a local or national NSCA event? Submit your application here.Show Notes“I think for young coaches starting out, a lot of it is, yeah, just being willing to make mistakes, being willing to adapt, and to continue to grow and learn. Call people, text people, send emails, ask questions. We talked about mentors. Lean on your mentors because they've been there. They've made the mistakes. I've made the mistakes and I continue to make mistakes every day, but I think that's how you learn and grow.” 11:05 “Strength and conditioning is not something that we're just going to figure out and somebody's going to have all the answers. As I talked about before, there's more than one way to skin a cat. And so it's important to learn from a bunch of people who maybe think differently than you so that you can continue to get good results.” 11:30 “I'd say if you're somebody who's looking to speak, find something that you're good at, something that you are passionate about, that you like to speak about, that you're good at. And then don't be afraid to reach out to your advisory board…” 16:15

Squash demands speed, strength, and control at the edge of human range — but still suffers from a massive stigma around heavy lifting and underuse of strength and conditioning. Brigita Roemer is leading the shift as Director of Strength and Conditioning for U.S. Squash, where she oversees all off-court physical development. After suffering a devastating injury as a track and field athlete, she discovered strength and conditioning when a biomechanics team “put [her] back together,” setting her on a linear path in the profession. Assigned to a sport she had never heard of before, Roemer began by emphasizing injury risk reduction, full range of motion, and “strength at length” to meet squash’s extreme movement and deceleration demands. With frequent connective tissue injuries like sprains and strains, athlete availability remains a top concern. By prioritizing continuing education and building relationships, Roemer has helped U.S. Squash make history — on the path to LA 2028. Connect with Brigita on Instagram: @brigey_lux | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs   Elite strength and conditioning pros like Brigita Roemer rely on NSCA events to stay sharp, grounded, and connected. Join them at the 2025 NSCA National Conference (NSCACon) this July 16–19 in Kansas City, MO.Show Notes“I think honestly-- and people say this all the time-- it is the relationships that you make and it is the people that you know.” 5:21 “I think in squash and strength and conditioning, traditionally, they haven't had the closest relationship as far as foundational strength and conditioning goes. Historically, not many players lifted heavy. There's still like a massive stigma around heavy lifting and squash with making players bulky and slow and all the things that we're a little bit more current on in the field.” 11:00 “Because, physically, it's a brutal sport, man. It really is. I did a ton of research on any sort of studies that have been done in the sport. There aren't a lot, but there's some, and they spend something like, 81 to 95% of the time on court in zone 5. There's six to eight times their body weight going through the kinetic chain when you do a hard lunge to the front. Just the percentage of connective tissue injuries in the sport are wild. I mean, the season is basically all year long, with the exception of June to August.” 12:07 “I always start with injury reduction first. They can't get better at the sport if they can't be on court. So the best ability is availability, as they say. I make sure that whatever programming I do really hones in on a lot of that and the connective tissue stuff.” 17:25