Multiple sources have confirmed to Inside Carolina that former Illinois strength and conditioning coach Lou Hernandez has accepted the same position at North Carolina.
Hernandez spent the last seven seasons at Illinois and is credited with transforming the roster during his time. According to the Illinois official web site, only one player had a power clean exceeding 300 pounds in 2005 and Hernandez grew that number to approximately 40 by 2010.
Here is Hernandez’s bio courtesy of the Illinois website. Also check out this short profile on ESPN’s Big Ten Blog from 2010.
Hernandez replaces Tim Myslinski who left to take a similar position with the Jacksonville Jaguars. By all accounts this appears to be a solid hire. Hernandez worked with Vic Koenning at Illinois and spent three seasons at Florida when Larry Fedora was an assistant there. He has broad experience at other major college programs as well as being familiar with key figures on the new UNC staff which should aid him in transiting quickly into the program.
As with all coaching hires, the results on the field will be the ultimate judge but at first blush this looks like a clear upgrade over Myslinski.
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“According to the Illinois official web site, only one player had a power clean exceeding 300 pounds in 2005 and Hernandez grew that number to approximately 40 by 2010.”
A) 300# is a big power clean.
B) I wonder how much of the increase was actually the result of increased use of OLY lifts at the high school level over the last 5 years?
One of the critical things about Strength and Conditioning coaches is that they are the only coaches who maintain a relationship with the players year round.
Secondly, explosive movement and free weight training are now critical in all college sports.
You may have heard RW recently refer again to the need for players to work harder in this area. It seems that Jonas Sarathian is a real asset for the basketball team, but the players have to work with him for there to be a benefit.
C.Michael,
It also does not account for the possibility Illinois brought in higher caliber athletes under Ron Zook than before or that there was simply a better staff.
THF
It is widely acknowledged that strength and conditioning programs have done more to improve Football success in the last 20-30 years than any other program aspect.
I wonder how S&C is affecting Basketball.
A lot of this depends though on motivation and guidance from the coaches.
UNC has hired one of the outstanding S&C coaches in the country. Hernandez was featured last year in a Big Ten Network segment on S&C because of his work. Athletes at the NFL combines (in Indy) that worked under Hernandez demonstrated a high level of conditioning and impressed the BTN. Illinois lost two great coaches, Koenning and Hernandez, when Zook was fired. Illinois’ loss of Hernandez is UNC’s major gain. Not only is he a superior coach, but he’s an outstanding individual of highest character.
My goodness… he’s a 61 year old body builder and actor! What kind of hire is that?
Oh, sorry, that’s Lou Ferrigno.
Tar Heel Fans you are getting one of the premier strength coaches in the country. Illinois lost a great coach but a great gain for North Carolina. He is a man of great character and a great friend. Congrats coach Hernandez.