Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
Mike Kent began his career as a student-assistant coach at Fairmont State College after a career- ending neck injury in the fall of 1981. Kent spent three years in high school coaching in West Virginia and Florida before arriving at North Carolina State University in 1985. After receiving a Master's degree from North Carolina in 1987, he landed at Shepherd College, overseeing the strength and conditioning for football and serving as full-time defensive line coach.
After speaking with Al Johnson, Kent learned of Jay Omer, former Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at East Carolina University, and Kent's career began in the world of strength and conditioning in the summer of 1988. Through Jay Omer's guidance and knowledge, Kent became the Director of Strength and Conditioning in the summer of 1990 at Appalachian State University. The exercise science program there under the guidance of Dr. Michael Stone provided Kent the guidance and knowledge to the practical application of program design. Kent feels blessed by the research and the employment of graduate assistants that helped develop quality strength and conditioning programs.
Coach Kent has made many stops at Universities across the country including Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Kansas State, and a second stint at Appalachian State. He is currently in his second year at Colorado State University.
Coach Kent has been influenced by many outstanding strength coaches over the years through their support and guidance. He feels blessed and fortunate to be a part of a great profession. Finally, he would like to thank his wife, Deena, for her support through the countless moves and allowing him to live his dream.
