IGCT Episode #48: Buddy Morris-Coach X

For Show Notes and Coach McKeefery's Website - http://www.RonMcKeefery.com

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Buddy Morris enters his first season as the Cardinals strength and conditioning coach. Previously with the Cleveland Browns from 2002-05 where he worked with current Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, Morris is back in the NFL after working at the collegiate level for 19 years.

A native of South Park, PA, Morris has an extensive background in strength and conditioning dating back to his first job at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh, where he began his coaching career in 1980 in the first of his three stints with the Panthers. He worked under head coach Jackie Sherrill from 1980-89 and aided in the development of future NFL Hall of Famers Dan Marino, Rickey Jackson, Chris Doleman, and Russ Grimm. During that period, Morris helped train 13 first round NFL draft picks and 15 first-team All-Americans.

After working as the wellness director for the Horizon Hospital System in Sharon, PA from 1989-97, Morris went back to Pittsburgh and worked from 1997-2001. During his second tenure at Pitt, the Panthers made three bowl appearance, the 1997 Liberty Bowl, the 2000 Insight.com Bowl and the 2001 Tangerine Bowl. Morris also developed the moniker for the Panthers strength and conditioning program, "The Pitt Iron Works." In 2009, Muscle & Fitness Magazine name Morris' gym one of the 10 toughest in America.

Morris then joined Butch Davis and the Cleveland Browns for three seasons before working at the University of Buffalo in 2006 as its Director of Sports Performance. After one season in Buffalo, Morris went back for his third stint at Pitt under head coach Dave Wannstedt where he worked from 2007-10. The Panthers qualified for the 2008 Sun Bowl and the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl during that period.

Following his third stop at Pitt, Morris and his family opened a private gym in Buffalo called the New York Sports Center where he worked with athletes at all levels through personal training, group fitness classes, and injury rehabilitation.

Morris worked with Roger Kingdom, the Cardinals assistant strength & conditioning coach and 1984 and 1988 Olympic gold medalist in 110-meter hurdles. He also helped develop NFL Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin and Pro Bowl guard Ruben Brown while both were at Pitt.

He graduated from Pittsburgh in 1980 after lettering for four years (1977-80) in track and field. Morris is married to Monica and he has two daughters, Kara and Claire, and two stepsons, Fred and Troy.

In this episode we discuss:

His journey into Strength and Conditioning.

His take on our role and job title.

Why a strong understanding of Functional Anatomy and Rehabilitation is a must.

How he individualizes his program.

The use of experts in the field to make your program better.

His opinion after three decades of coaching of what is good and needs to be improved about the profession.

How he incorporates discipline and accountability into his program.

What makes his program unique.

His favorite quote, Book/App/Website recommendation.