Episode 008 - Erik Hernandez: The Challenges Facing the Modern College Strength Coach

Episode 008 of the Speed of Life Podcast covers a discussion on the state of US college strength and conditioning through the eyes of Olympic Sports strength coach, Erik Hernandez.  Coach Hernandez has spent the bulk of his career at the University of North Carolina, working primarily with lacrosse, golf and volleyball.  We discuss the changes that Erik has experienced over his tenure at UNC, as well as some important things that have remained consistent in the department as well as with his overall training philosophy.  While many institutions and major sports are experiencing a changing landscape of recruiting, transfers and athlete compensation, Coach Hernandez has managed to control the variables that he can control and provide the best culture, community and support for the athletes under his charge for the duration of their time in college sport.  Erik Hernandez joined the University of North Carolina Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning staff in August of 2010.  A former UNC intern, Hernandez now serves as the Associate Director for Olympic Sports for the strength and conditioning department. He is responsible for the men’s lacrosse, men’s golf, women’s golf and volleyball teams.  In his time at Carolina he has had the opportunity to oversee several other teams including the women’s lacrosse team during their 2016 and 2022 NCAA Championship seasons.  Before Carolina, Hernandez was a graduate assistant strength coach at the University of Tulsa, working primarily with football and basketball.  Hernandez interned at Arizona State University and Niles North High School, along with serving as a student intern at Loyola University (Chicago).  A 2010 graduate of Loyola, Hernandez competed in the shot put for the track and field team and still holds the school record. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Loyola and his Masters of Education in training and development from N.C. State. Hernandez is CSCS certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and holds Titleist Performance Institute level 3 fitness certification as well.  You can find out more information on Erik Hernandez below:  Instagram:       https://www.instagram.com/hernandezstrength/  Website:          https://www.hernandezhealthandperformance.com/    Audio versions of the "Speed of Life" Podcast are available below:  Spreaker https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast--6893415  Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4pKknVG2wNItjJedBbH3v4  Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speed-of-life-podcast/id1882245235  iHeart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/325517264  Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/99a1193a-a928-4134-86bd-27716ae49c22    You can reach Derek Hansen at the following locations:  Websiteshttp://www.SprintCoach.comhttps://www.runningmechanics.com/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/derekmhansen/YouTubehttp://youtube.com/derekmhansen Twitter/Xhttps://x.com/DerekMHansenLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmhansen/