Here's the athletic department release on the new basketball strength and conditioning coach.
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Men’s Basketball head coach Kim Anderson has announced the addition of Nick Michael to his staff in the role of Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Performance.
Michael joined former Virginia Commonwealth assistant coach Mike Rhoades’ new staff at Rice as strength and conditioning coach in April 2014, where he developed and implemented new athletic performance programs for the Owls for the 2014-15 season. He previously spent the 2013-14 season assisting Shaka Smart’s VCU program as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant coach.
“Our Mizzou program is excited to add someone like Nick Michael to our staff,” Anderson said. “His energy and passion for developing student-athletes is unquestioned. Add in the fact that he was an accomplished professional basketball player, and you have someone who we feel can connect with our guys and help them make the right choices, both in the weight room and nutritionally speaking. We feel he will help our players develop the strength and toughness that is necessary to be successful in the SEC. We cannot wait to have Nick and his wife, Keeley, join us in Columbia.”
Michael played four seasons of professional basketball in Europe, spending time with Belfast Star in Ireland (2007) before suiting up for three German squads: TSVE Dolphins (2008-09), Giro Live-Ballers (2009-10) and Bayer Giants (2010-11).
“This is such an incredible opportunity, and I sincerely want to thank Coach Anderson, Mack Rhoades and Mizzou’s administration,” Michael said. “My passions are basketball, fitness, and figuring out how to be stronger, faster and mentally tougher. Being able to work at such a high level of college basketball with a staff that is high level themselves is a perfect situation.
“I spent a lot of time with Coach Anderson during the interview process and the comfort level is very high. But my main purpose is with the team. I’m so excited to work with them. It’s about building relationships. It’s extremely gratifying to watch student-athletes grow, learn and graduate. They’ll know when we get after it in the weight room, it’s about building mental toughness. It’s more than building muscle strength. Mental toughness and creating great work habits.”
Currently the head coach at Texas, Smart praised Michael’s expertise and passion when told of his hire at Mizzou.
“Nick is a terrific strength coach and was a huge asset to our program at VCU,” Smart said. “He will do great things for the athletic department at the University of Missouri and their student-athletes. His blend of technical knowledge, basketball experience and enthusiasm makes him one of the best.”
The Rams finished 26-9 on the season and powered their way into the NCAA Tournament with a second-place showing in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Prior to his work at VCU, Michael served two seasons as an assistant coach at Elmhurst College (Illinois), his alma mater.
As a player at Elmhurst (2003-07), Michael left his mark. He was a three-time all-conference selection at center for the Bluejays, finishing his career ranking in the Division III program’s top 10 in points scored (1,199) and rebounds (588).
Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Elmhurst before departing on his professional career in 2007, then returned to earn a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science in 2013 during his stint as an assistant coach. While at VCU, Michael earned a Master’s of Education in Sport Leadership in 2014.
Michael spent the 2015-16 season working in private athletic performance coaching in the Houston area.
Michael has attained several certifications, including Strength & Conditioning Coach Certified (CSCCa), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and USA Weightlifting Level 1 Performance Coach.
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Men’s Basketball head coach Kim Anderson has announced the addition of Nick Michael to his staff in the role of Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Performance.
Michael joined former Virginia Commonwealth assistant coach Mike Rhoades’ new staff at Rice as strength and conditioning coach in April 2014, where he developed and implemented new athletic performance programs for the Owls for the 2014-15 season. He previously spent the 2013-14 season assisting Shaka Smart’s VCU program as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant coach.
“Our Mizzou program is excited to add someone like Nick Michael to our staff,” Anderson said. “His energy and passion for developing student-athletes is unquestioned. Add in the fact that he was an accomplished professional basketball player, and you have someone who we feel can connect with our guys and help them make the right choices, both in the weight room and nutritionally speaking. We feel he will help our players develop the strength and toughness that is necessary to be successful in the SEC. We cannot wait to have Nick and his wife, Keeley, join us in Columbia.”
Michael played four seasons of professional basketball in Europe, spending time with Belfast Star in Ireland (2007) before suiting up for three German squads: TSVE Dolphins (2008-09), Giro Live-Ballers (2009-10) and Bayer Giants (2010-11).
“This is such an incredible opportunity, and I sincerely want to thank Coach Anderson, Mack Rhoades and Mizzou’s administration,” Michael said. “My passions are basketball, fitness, and figuring out how to be stronger, faster and mentally tougher. Being able to work at such a high level of college basketball with a staff that is high level themselves is a perfect situation.
“I spent a lot of time with Coach Anderson during the interview process and the comfort level is very high. But my main purpose is with the team. I’m so excited to work with them. It’s about building relationships. It’s extremely gratifying to watch student-athletes grow, learn and graduate. They’ll know when we get after it in the weight room, it’s about building mental toughness. It’s more than building muscle strength. Mental toughness and creating great work habits.”
Currently the head coach at Texas, Smart praised Michael’s expertise and passion when told of his hire at Mizzou.
“Nick is a terrific strength coach and was a huge asset to our program at VCU,” Smart said. “He will do great things for the athletic department at the University of Missouri and their student-athletes. His blend of technical knowledge, basketball experience and enthusiasm makes him one of the best.”
The Rams finished 26-9 on the season and powered their way into the NCAA Tournament with a second-place showing in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Prior to his work at VCU, Michael served two seasons as an assistant coach at Elmhurst College (Illinois), his alma mater.
As a player at Elmhurst (2003-07), Michael left his mark. He was a three-time all-conference selection at center for the Bluejays, finishing his career ranking in the Division III program’s top 10 in points scored (1,199) and rebounds (588).
Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Elmhurst before departing on his professional career in 2007, then returned to earn a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science in 2013 during his stint as an assistant coach. While at VCU, Michael earned a Master’s of Education in Sport Leadership in 2014.
Michael spent the 2015-16 season working in private athletic performance coaching in the Houston area.
Michael has attained several certifications, including Strength & Conditioning Coach Certified (CSCCa), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and USA Weightlifting Level 1 Performance Coach.
