History

In the Deed, the Glory

History of Nebraska Strength and Conditioning

TRADITION

The University of Nebraska has a strong reputation for excellence in strength and conditioning. A key figure and pioneer in organized strength and conditioning was Boyd Epley. Epley was a pole-vaulter at Nebraska in the late 60s, but suffered a career ending back injury. While rehabilitating his injury he worked with injured football players in the small Husker weight room. At that time the weight room was 424 square feet, with room for about 12 players. There was one bench press, with one barbell, and 390 lbs. of weight.

Assistant Coach Tom Osborne noticed that these injured players were returning to the field in better shape than before their injuries had occurred, and recommended that the University hire Epley. On August 15, 1969, Head Coach and Athletic Director Bob Devaney made Nebraska the first school in the Big 8 Conference to hire an official strength coach (Epley), with the statement, "If anyone gets slower, you're fired." In 1969, many coaches believed lifting weights made athletes inflexible and diminished coordination.

Epley proved otherwise. The weight room was increased in size to 1344 square feet, then to 2844 square feet. Epley used his experience in bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, and power lifting to develop his program throughout the early 70s. Devaney's teams went 42-2 and won the 1970 and 1971 National Championships in the first 4 years after adding Epley's lifting program.

Epley went on to found the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in 1978. He was awarded the first ever National Strength Coach of the Year Award in 1980, and the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award by the NSCA. In March 2001, American Football Monthly magazine tabbed him the godfather of Strength and Conditioning; a fitting title considering the fact that 49 of Epley's former assistants went on to work for other programs during his 34 years as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Nebraska.

In 2003, Brian Bailey was named the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for football after 13 years as coordinator of reconditioning and 4 years as Coordinator of Research for the Husker program. Bailey served along side current Head Coach Bo Pelini during the 2003 season. Bailey earned distinction as a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach in 2002, and is currently an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Southern California.

Coach Dave Kennedy was another of Epley's disciples. He worked under Epley from 1982 until 1988. Kennedy helped produce 21 All-Americans and 18 first-round draft picks during stints at Ohio State University and the University of Pittsburg before returning to Nebraska and serving as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for football from 2004 to 2007. Kennedy is currently the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for football at Texas A&M University.

In 2008, James Dobson was named Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for football at the University of Nebraska. Dobson comes to Nebraska with great expectations, having gained a reputation as the highly talented pupil of legendary Iowa Strength and Conditioning Coach Chris Doyle. Dobson was at Iowa during one of the most successful periods in school history, appearing in bowl games 6 out of 7 seasons, winning 38 games between 2002 and 2005, and winning the Big Ten Title in 2002 and 2004. Before working at Iowa, Dobson spent time at Southern Methodist and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dobson brings an abundance of knowledge and energy to Husker training and has quickly earned a reputation among players as a no-nonsense teacher, committed to individual wellbeing and development, as well as team results.

Over the years, one constant in Nebraska strength and conditioning has been Mike Arthur. Mike became the first paid Assistant Strength Coach at Nebraska in 1974 under Epley and remains loyal to the program as he was named Director of Strength and Conditioning at Nebraska in January of 2008. In 1995, Arthur was named National Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by the Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Society. He was among the first 10 strength coaches nationally to earn the distinction of Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Hall of Fame in June 2003. He even held a world record in the dead lift of 540 and 1/4 lbs. Arthur remains on the cutting edge of scientific research in the field and is another nationally respected Husker figure, recognized for his contribution to the history of organized strength and conditioning.

The Nebraska Athletic Department was built upon a strong strength and conditioning program and excellent coaching staff. The Husker Power Club was created by Boyd Epley and has traditionally been a prolific booster club. Our current strength and conditioning staff would like to rejuvenate the excitement associated with contributing to the development of athletes from each Husker sport and express our sincere appreciation for your continued support. The Husker Power Club is essential to the success of Husker athletics.

Nebraska Strength and Conditioning Time Line