College Strength Profile of the Week: University of Pittsburgh

Name: University of Pittsburgh (Pitt)
Private or Public: Public University (since 1966)
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Mascot: Panthers
Size: ~34,000 in 2007 (undergraduate & graduate students)
Football Strength and Conditioning Coach: Buddy Morris
Program Overview: Click Here

Overview: Founded in 1897, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) has competed in the Big East conference since 1982. Competing in 8 men's sports 11 women's sports, Pitt has long been a mainstay in central Pittsburgh.

Buddy Morris, Pitt's Head of Football Strength & Conditioning is one of the most respected strength and conditioning coaches in the country. A 1980 University of Pittsburgh graduate Buddy returned to Pitt for his third tenure as a football strength coach in 2004 when Dave Wannstedt took over as Pitt's Head Football coach. Buddy and his staff consisting of one assistant coach and a number of graduate assistants and interns implement a program that is far from traditional. Making use of chains, bands, kettle bells and "Tendo Units" (on each platform to measure power), Buddy's programs are designed to ensure that athletes simulate movements on the football field during every exercise in the weight room. Buddy's programs are based in much more than "strength" and/or "functional strength". Rather, his programs are designed to improve Power and Explosiveness. As such, he designs individual programs based on an athlete's ability to generate a certain "force output" or "bar speed" per rep. Buddy's emphasis on Power as well as Strength, coupled with a strong belief in instilling within his players a mental desire to outwork the competition is an important reason for the improved physical play realized under his tenure, and the improvement in the overall on-field performance of Pitt's team in recent years.

For additional insight into Buddy's philosophy, click here.

Click for an overview of the Pitt athletic program.