Nick DiMarco was named Elon University Director of Strength & Conditioning in February 2018. Prior to coming to Elon, DiMarco spent three years with the Iowa Hawkeyes as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the football program. The Hawkeyes made bowl game appearances in every season during DiMarco’s tenure, including a Rose Bowl appearance in 2016. He rejoined the Hawkeyes after spending the 2013 season with the program as an intern. DiMarco rejoined the Iowa program after playing in the NFL as an outside linebacker in 2014. He spent time with the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens. DiMarco previously was an intern with the strength and conditioning program at William Penn University, where he was a member of the football team. DiMarco also designed and implemented all phases of strength and conditioning for the track and field throwers and jumpers, along with the women’s basketball team, and assisted with training of all sports.
DiMarco is Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), CPR/AED and PES Certified. DiMarco earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education and strength and conditioning from William Penn in and a Master of Science in exercise science, performance enhancement and injury prevention, from California University of Pennsylvania. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Health and Human Performance from Concordia University-Chicago.
Topics Discussed:
Nick’s current position and responsibilities at Elon
Nick’s simultaneous experience as a strength coach and college athlete, his transition to the NFL, and how playing in the NFL changed his perspective on coaching
The philosophical pillars of Elon’s strength and conditioning program
How the execution and practical application of that philosophy has changed over the years and what Nick is doing differently now compared to a few years ago
Popular practices in the industry that Nick avoids and why
What Nick’s weekly training plan looks like in the football offseason and how that reflects the things he wants to prioritize
What football “conditioning” should look like
How Nick balances staff development with staff autonomy
What excites Nick about the future of Elon’s program