Strength and Conditioning

The long-time Saban assistant posed for a picture in his kitchen with all seven of his national championship rings and the Alcoholics Anonymous one year chip.

Dr. Rhea and his partner David Ballou were hired at Alabama to revamp the strength program just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pair have been unable to work with and acclimate themselves to their new athletes over the last three months, hindering their vision of restructuring the Crimson Tide strength and conditioning program. Dr. Matt Rhea sent a short video out on Twitter yesterday in an effort to convey his excitement for today. Today began the "voluntary" offseason workout program for the Alabama Crimson Tide football program.

Alabama has officially announced the hiring of David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea to replace Scott Cochran in the strength and conditioning role for the football program. Ballou’s official title will be Director of Sports Performance and Rhea’s official title will be Director of Performance Science. Coach Nick Saban commented in his statement about Cochran’s departure that he would like to see the replacement be able to fully utilize the new sports science complex that is currently under construction adjacent to the Mal Moore Athletic Facility, that is exactly what he accomplished by hiring this pair.

Alabama’s football staff took a major blow last week when head strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran decided to leave the program to become Georgia’s new special teams coordinator. Coach Nick Saban now must hire a replacement for a staff member who has been with the program for the last 13 years.

Martin Houston examines Scott Cochran's value to Nick Saban's coaching staff on The Blitz.

As the Alabama Crimson Tide prepares to open fall camp, a number of former players gear up either to play in the professional ranks or to start their post-football career. Earlier this week, former Alabama wide receiver Mike McCoy recounted his playing at Alabama under Mike Shula and Nick Saban and talked about life after football on The Gary Harris Show...