Discussing the Profession from 3-Different Vantage Points
Coaches with experience at the power 4, group of 5, and mid-major/FCS levels look to build back and forth engaging and healthy conversations around all aspects of our profession. Various topics will be discussed from staff building, budget building, training of athletes, sport coach relationships, and all else that is brought up by attendees
Rod Grace, a strength and conditioning coach with ties to the states of Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, the American Athletic Conference, the Big 12, the Atlantic Coastal Conference, and the Ohio Valley Conference, enters his second year as Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of South Alabama. Before arriving at the University of South Alabama, Coach Grace worked at the University of Louisville, Allen High School, the University of Texas, the University of Houston, the University of South Florida, Iowa State, Tennessee State, and Georgia Tech. In his years as a coach at the collegiate level, Coach Grace has worked with over 30 players who went on to the NFL, including 2017 draft picks LB Tyus Bowser (Ravens), DB Howard Wilson (Browns), and DB Brandon Wilson (Bengals). Six Cougars made rosters as part of the 2016 NFL Draft class. CB William Jackson, III (Bengals), LB Elandon Roberts (Patriots), and WR Demarcus Ayers (Steelers) were all drafted, while RB Kenneth Farrow (Chargers), DS Nolan Frese (Seahawks), and S Adrian McDonald (Chargers) signed as free agents. After being promoted to director at Houston, Coach Grace continued the development of the 2018 Outland Trophy Award winner and the 2019 9th overall draft pick, DT Ed Oliver (Bills), along with draft picks CB Isaiah Johnson (Raiders), LB Emeke Egbule (Chargers) and CB Alex Myres (Steelers). In the 2018 draft, Coach Grace mentored draft pick LB Matthew Adams (Colts), as well as WR Steve Dunbar (49ers), LB D’Juan Hines (Browns), S Terrell Williams (49ers), and QB Kyle Allen (Panthers) all signed as free agents. Coach Grace has worked under successful and innovative coaches, including Jeff Brohm, Chad Morris, Major Applewhite, Tom Herman, Willie Taggart, Paul Rhoads, Paul Johnson, and Rod Reed. Along with coaching and developing NFL draft picks, Coach Grace is a member of various social and scholarly organizations, such as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. While completing his master’s degree in exercise science, Coach Grace had two different studies published in peer-reviewed journals: Effects of carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement on selective attention, processing speed, fluid loss, and gait during and following strenuous exercise. (2011) and Changes in Body Mass and Absolute and Relative Bench Press, Squat and Leg Press Strength in NCAA Division I Football players (2012). Coach Grace is pursuing a doctorate in exercise science from Liberty University. A native of Jackson, MS, Coach Grace was a Division I All-Conference player on the defensive line at the University of Tennessee at Martin, earning his degree in 2009. Grace is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), a certified strength and conditioning coach (SCCC), and a USA Weightlifting Level I certified coach. Coach Grace is married to Torey Grace, and they have one daughter, Aspen Grace
