Mike Kent, who served as Appalachian State University’s director of strength and conditioning from 1990-98, will return to Appalachian in the same capacity on Dec. 1.

Kent replaces Jeff Dillman, who left ASU in August to become the director of athletic performance at the prestigious IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla.

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“For someone with Coach Kent’s vast experience to want to be here speaks volumes for the quality of our coaches, student-athletes, athletics program and University,” director of athletics Charlie Cobb said. “His experience, affection for ASU and the relationships that he already has with a number of our coaches, including (football head coach) Jerry Moore, (men’s basketball head coach) Buzz Peterson and (softball head coach) Amy Herrington, made him an obvious choice for the position. In addition to welcoming Coach Kent back to Appalachian, I’d also like to thank assistant strength and conditioning coaches Josh Robertson and Robbie Ormsby for their outstanding efforts in leading the strength and conditioning program on an interim basis.”

Kent has a quarter century of experience in the field, including the past 10 seasons overseeing the strength and conditioning programs at Kansas State (2007-09), Pittsburgh (2004-06) and Louisville (2000-03). In his decade in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) ranks, he trained numerous NFL Draft picks, including 2009 first-round selection Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Super Bowl XXXIX MVP Deion Branch (currently of the Seattle Seahawks).

Prior to his stints at K-State, Pitt and Louisville, Kent spent the 90s in the NCAA Division I FCS ranks with nine years at Appalachian followed by a season at Eastern Kentucky. With the Mountaineers, Kent saw five of his pupils selected in the NFL Draft, most notably Dexter Coakley, who went on to make three Pro Bowl appearances during his 10-year career with the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Rams. For his efforts, Kent was named the 1995 Southern Conference Strength Coach of the Year.

Kent began his career in 1985 with two years at NC State, where he spent two years as a graduate assistant, helping coach defensive ends and assisting with strength and conditioning. He also had stints at Shepherd (W. Va.) College (1987) and East Carolina (1988-89) before coming to ASU.

A 1982 graduate of Fairmont (W. Va.) State, Kent earned a master’s degree from NC State in 1987. He is married to the former Deena England.

By Appalachian State Sports Information