Feb 16, 2015Culture Change
Zac Woodfin wanted to make his mark when he was hired by the University of Southern Mississippi to be its new strength and conditioning coach. So he instituted several changes, including the bold move of removing the weight machines from the main weight room.
According to an article in The Clarion-Ledger:
- Woodfin is in his first month at the Southern Miss., having arrived from the University of Alabama-Birmingham after the Blazers dropped football.
- In an effort to emphasize mobility, a core tenet of his program, Woodfin had all of the machines from the main weightroom taken out, leaving free weights and empty space.
- He also hosts a character class once a week where he talks about humility and service.
While the removal of the weight equipment may seem unorthodox, Woodfin said it will allow him to drill players on the importance of things besides strength:
“Mobility and flexibility is the first part of my deal,” he told the Clarion-Ledger. “Because you can’t get stronger and more powerful if you’re tight and immobile. Strength and power is only able to be applied if you’re mobile enough to apply it.”
And he added that players are getting behind his unique methods:
“I’ve had good conversations with guys that have come in here, just about what’s transpiring,” he told the Clarion-Ledger. “A lot of people have said they’re pleased. I’ve had guys that really buy into what we’re doing, because it’s different.”
