What defines true toughness in coaching? Dan Perlmutter presents an alternative to the “tough strength coach” stereotype, reframing success as adaptability, resilience, and relentless positivity. As Director of Sports Performance and Head Olympic Sports Performance Coach at Duke University, Perlmutter reflects on building a strong culture rooted in genuine relationships and longevity. He explains Duke’s structured approach to developing interns and coaching assistants, highlighting purposeful recruiting and intentional mentorship to transform passion into professionalism. Perlmutter emphasizes a gratitude lens and people-focused philosophy, always prioritizing the athlete in front of him. He also addresses how strength and conditioning coaches can navigate collegiate shifts, such as Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal, by reinforcing the weight room environment and culture. If you are seeking practical strategies to build a sustainable career and a workplace you look forward to each day, this conversation is your blueprint.
Connect with Dan via email at dan.perlmutter@duke.edu and on Instagram: @theothercoachp | Meet the Duke University Sports Performance Staff on their website | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs
This article examines ways that personal trainers can take steps in order to effectively reduce the risk of clients suffering a training-related injury.
Personal trainersExercise TechniqueProgram designpersonal traininginjury reductioninjury prevention
Cory Kennedy, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the Institut National du Sport du Québec in Montreal, talks to the NSCA Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Scott Caulfield, about the importance of monitoring athletes and the equipment used to keep track of their well-being.
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is proud to announce the recipients of the organization’s 2021 Coach of the Year Awards:
Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year: Paul Goodman, MS, CSCS, RSCC*E
College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year: Brian Thompson, PhD, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E
Assistant College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year: Andrew Stocks, MS, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
Interest is growing in warm-up procedures that involve dynamic activities and sport-specific movements that maximize active ranges of motion at different movement-specific speeds while preparing the body for the demands of sport training and competition.
CoachesExercise ScienceExercise Techniquewarm-updynamic warm-upstrength and conditioning
This article recommends how to split the responsibilities of planning and executing the platoon physical training formation from the company commander’s echelon to the individual soldier level.
Feeling uneasy about asking for a raise? Discover practical strategies to showcase your worth in strength & conditioning and build a solid case for better pay.
Personal trainersTSAC FacilitatorsCoachesOrganization and AdministrationClient Consultation|AssessmentProfessional DevelopmentCareer Advancement
A strength and conditioning coach has the ultimate platform to communicate many lessons that can impact the life of youth athletes. In this 2018 Coaches Conference video, Vernon Griffith goes over how to impact youth athletes in more than just weightlifting, and how to be the coach that they need.
CoachesOrganization and AdministrationProfessional DevelopmentYouth CoachingYouth AthleteLTADhs-coaching
Bob Alejo passes on some of what he has learned in a long coaching career. In this session from the NSCA’s 2017 National Conference, Alejo discusses what he has learned that might keep you from making the same mistakes or persuade a change in current programming.
CoachesProgram designProfessional DevelopmentStrength and ConditioningBob AlejoStrength and Conditioning CoachesStrength ProgrammingAthlete Monitoring