A look at the role of college football strength coaches

If you've followed college football close enough in recent years, you may have noticed increased attention on the strength and conditioning. That starts with the coaches who are becoming hot commodities around the sport.

It used to be the only thing most people knew about the strength coach is he was the craziest person on the coaching staff. Now, those coaches are standing in a bigger spotlight. There is more attention paid to their roles and the strength coach might be among the most important hire any head coach makes. The New York Times took a deeper dive into the position, the role and the growing importance. Gabe Marks and WSU S&C coach Jason Loscalzo are both quoted in it.

Loscalzo's contribution was especially interesting. He talks about how much bigger the role is than just getting the players in shape.

"We actually probably coach attitude, body language, responsibility, things like that, more than the actual strength and conditioning portion of it," said Jason Loscalzo, Washington State's head strength and conditioning coach. "Those things, if you don't have that foundation, it doesn't matter how strong the players get or how good shape they're in."

Recruiting may be the key to success in college football, but having a good strength coach is quickly rising up the list of importance.

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Football:

In College Football, No Player Escapes the Eye of the Strength Coach - The New York Times
The role of the strength coach is among the most underrated in college football, according to many coaches and players, particularly the valuable contribution such a coach can make as an ambassador for the rest of the coaching staff to the players.

Report: Former Clemson WR to transfer from WSU - Kyrin Priester Clemson Football Player Update | TigerNet
Former Clemson wide receiver Kyrin Priester has decided to transfer from Washington State according to multiple reports. As a sophomore, Priester had 34 catches for 246 yards and a touchdown

Men's basketball:

Breaking Down Oregon State's Pac-12 Basketball Schedule - Building The Dam
Oregon State will avoid any trips to Arizona in 2017, while the Beavers kick-off Pac-12 play with match-ups against UCLA and USC.