Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Performan, Kansas State University
Rod Cole has been the strength and conditioning coordinator at Kansas State University for the past 11 years. During that time, the KSU football program has competed in 11 consecutive bowl games and posted an overall record of 109-29-1. Kansas State also boasts the winningest football record in the history of the Big XII conference. This past year, Kansas State Athletics made history by winning Big XII championships in three tier one sports: football, volleyball, and women's basketball.
Rod has twice been named by the NSCA as "Big 12 Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year." In 1998, he was named "National Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year" by the Pro Football Strength & Conditioning Coaches' Society.
Prior to his stint at Kansas State, Rod Cole was strength and conditioning coordinator at Dodge City Community College in Kansas for three years. For two years, he also coached linebackers and special teams at Dodge City. The successful building of a program at Dodge City culminated in a 1992 bowl game appearance.
Rod began his coaching career spending six years at Mulvane Junior/Senior High School in Kansas, where he coached football, basketball, track and powerlifting, in addition to teaching strength training classes. In 1990, he coached a state champion high school powerlifting team.
A 1988 strength and conditioning study tour to Bulgaria and the former Soviet Union was a highlight in Rod's development as a strength and conditioning coach. In addition to being Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified by the CSCCa, he is also CSCS certified, and is USAW level one. Rod obtained his Master's degree from Wichita State University in 1988 and received his Bachelor's degree from Bethany College in 1984. He also participated in football and track and field at Bethany College.
Very active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Rod thanks God for the many tremendous assistants he has been blessed with over the years and is truly thankful to be associated with such a fine university as Kansas State.
Rod and his wife of 15 football seasons, Stacey, have six children ages 13 and down: Aubrey, Kade, Kressyn, Shadd, Zane, Delaney. There are not many dull moments at the Cole house.
