Webber International University Athletics

Each school year, from July to May, the Webber International University Strength & Conditioning Department employs coaches under the title of "Coaching Assistant" to help run the strength & conditioning program for the university. This job opportunity is not like a typical "internship" - it should be thought of more like a graduate assistantship without the graduate coursework, as coaching assistants are in complete control of 1-3 teams and are granted higher responsibilities. This position will be mentored by the full-time staff and will grow personally and professionally. The full-time staff will undergo performance evaluations and professional assessment reviews, including a feedback system that grades the skill level and ability of coaches in over 60 professional areas.




 
NOTABLE JOB PLACEMENTS:

• Steve Rassel – Minor League Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)
• Ed Smith – Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Lynchburg College (NCAA D-III)
• Zack Wallace – Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Florida Southern College (NCAA D-II)
• Adam Whittaker – Strength & Conditioning Coach, Reef Systems Corp
• AJ Short – Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, St. Ignatius High School (Ohio)
• Tanner Miracle – Strength & Conditioning Coach, New York Mets (MLB)
• Phil Bailey – Strength & Conditioning Coach, Colorado Rockies (MLB)
• Josh Jirgal – Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, University of Texas at Permian Basin (NCAA D-II)
• Dan Steinberg – Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, Mercy College (NCAA D-III)
• John Lepo – Associate Athletic Performance Coach, Univ of Arkansas - Little Rock (NCAA D-I)
• Tom Susewitz – Regional Strength & Conditioning Coach, Pro Football Support (UK)
• Clay Allen – Sorinex Equipment – Previously S&C GA, Mercer University (NCAA D-I)
• Beau Hains – Fitness Coach, North Carolina Football Club
• Mark Dessart – Strength & Conditioning Coach, All Saints Academy (FL)
• Chris DeSanto – Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning, Lincoln Memorial University (NCAA D-II)
• Josh Connor – Director of Strength & Conditioning, Warner University (NAIA)
• Steve McPherson – Graduate Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, Southeastern University (NAIA)
• Connor Derrickson – Performance Coach, Future (Global)
• Zach Cooper – Performance Coach, Future (Global)
• Ryan Maitland – Owner/ Director of Facility Operations and Sports Performance, The Athlete Academy
• Trei Mitchell – Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning, Alabama State University (NCAA D-I)
• Aaron Schultz – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Iowa Western Community College (NJCAA D-I)
• Dallas Creamer – Graduate Assistant Athletic Performance, Houston Baptist University (NCAA D-I)
• Tyler Ayers – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (NCAA D-II)
• Hayden Jones – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Newman University (NCAA D-II)
• Drew Stroede – Performance Coach, Future (Global)
• Austin Tomaz – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Webber International University (NAIA)
• Mark Madigan – Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, Lincoln Memorial University (NCAA D-II)
• Caleb Dupre – Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, Nicholls State University (NCAA D-I)
• Louis Palacios – Affiliate Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Milwaukee Brewers (MiLB)

RESPONSIBILITIES & CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COACHING ASSISTANT POSITION INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO) THE FOLLOWING:

• Design & implement the strength & conditioning program for 1-3 teams and student athletes; essentially being the head strength & conditioning coach for assigned teams
• Communicate and interact with the sport coaches and athletic training staff of assigned teams on a daily and weekly basis.
• Assist with the coaching of a select portion of student athletes, including but not limited to football.
• Collaborate with Athletic Training staff on the rehabilitation of injured athletes.
• Assist with the management of the fitness center & fitness center employees, ensuring cleanliness, order, and organization of the department.
• Assist with various fundraising tasks, including but not limited to the concession stand and athletic fundraising events.
• Communicate and interact with the other members of the coaching staff, faculty, support personnel and administrators.
• Educate student-athletes about proper nutrition and supplementation habits.
• Undertake the responsibilities of the structured mentorship program, including all assignments, discussions, presentations, etc.
• Remain updated on current developments in strength training and conditioning, and continuously seek to develop and grow personally and professionally. This includes actively seeking & responding to timely and consistent feedback.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach or Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coaches.

A major part of this position is the mentorship program, which is aimed at helping the coach develop into the best person and professional that he/she can possibly be, beyond where they have ever been in the past. Our full-time staff spends countless hours each week teaching, presenting, demonstrating, discussing, and interacting with all coaching assistants. With time designated each day in the schedule devoted specifically for this reason, there is no doubt that relentless growth is one of the primary goals of the mentorship program. To be a part of the Webber Strength and Conditioning coaching tree means entering an elite group of coaches nationwide that’s main purpose is the betterment of student-athletes and the strength & conditioning industry.

KEY COMPONENTS OF THE WEBBER STRENGTH & CONDITIONING MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: 

• Two weeks of "Raz University". Named after one of the founding fathers of Webber Strength and Conditioning, these 8 hour staff development days are loaded with proficiency and aptitude testing, staff bonding and development discussions, reading/audio/video assignments, and lectures from several educational series, including The Art of Coaching (3 part series), The Art of Programming (5 part series), and Injury Prevention Strategies (3 part series), among many others
• 9+ months thereafter of weekly challenges for PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL, and PHYSICAL growth
• Additional meetings, mentoring, and “hot seats” in regard to all areas of programming; including but not limited to: warm ups, plyometrics, speed development, metabolic conditioning, resistance training, power development, developing a macrocyle & mesocyle, and building a portfolio. All completed to enhance the specific qualities of each sport, and assist with job placement upon completion of the program
• Leading and participating in daily/weekly discussions as a staff, and leading 2-3 semi-formal staff in-service presentations
• Programming "Hot Seats" where coaches present & defend the program that they are planning to use with their team in front of the entire staff for brainstorming and learning purposes
• Learning from staff in-service and guest in-service presentations on several topics, including nutrition, athlete monitoring, performance technology, supplementation, leadership, sport psychology, networking, managerial duties within the profession, recovery, energy system development, strength/speed/power development, testing/evaluation, character development, interview survival guides, and many others
• Weekly & monthly feedback, trimester evaluations, and semester formal assessments of growth and development
• Being able to apply things learned in real time towards the teams that the intern-assistants and grad assistants are in complete charge of. Real time application is key to optimal growth, unlike having to plan what one "would do" while shadowing like many other internship programs
• A lifetime connection with the staff as mentors beyond the position at Webber, in addition to a connection to all other Webber Strength Staff Alum

BENEFITS OF THE COACHING ASSISTANT POSITION: 

• 1 year of free on-campus dormitory housing (bedroom space, shared living area with other strength staff members)
• 1 year of a partial on-campus meal plan in the cafeteria
• Monthly stipend
• Webber strength & conditioning gear (Overall Webberathletics gear as well)
• CEU opportunities
  • All expenses paid CPR/AED/First Aid certification (Official CEUs)
  • All expenses paid NSCA accepted clinic
• Optional potential opportunities for personal training for additional supplemental income (decided on by Coach Ayers on a case-by-case basis)
• The opportunity to gain experience as the head strength & conditioning coach for a select Warrior team or teams
• Potential for official clinic speaking experience