Mike Kent Hometown: Parkersburg, W.Va. Position: Strength and Conditioning Alma Mater: Fairmont State, '82

MIKE KENT enters his third season at Pitt as the football program's strength and conditioning coach. Pitt's players have readily credited Kent's influence in creating a contagious enthusiasm in the Panthers' weight room, something that has been evident in workouts during the 2006 offseason.

Kent is a highly knowledgeable and respected professional in the area of strength and conditioning. Last year The Sporting News visited Pitt for a photo essay on the Panthers' summer training regimen.

Kent joined the Panthers in 2004 from the University of Louisville, where he was a key contributor to the Cardinals' 36-15 four-year record and Conference USA championships in 2000 and 2001. At Louisville, he oversaw the physical development of eight NFL Draft selections.

Among his Louisville protégés was receiver Deion Branch, who was the MVP of the 2005 Super Bowl for the victorious New England Patriots. Branch trained under Kent in 2000 and 2001.

Prior to Louisville, Kent served at Eastern Kentucky University from 1999-2000, overseeing the strength training for the Colonels' 16 intercollegiate sports. From 1990-99, he served at Appalachian State as strength coordinator for 18 teams. Kent helped the football program earn five NCAA I-AA playoff berths and trained linebacker Dexter Coakley, a multiple All-Pro honoree with the Dallas Cowboys. In 1995, Kent was named the Southern Conference's Strength Coach of the Year.

Kent's coaching career began at NC State, where he was a graduate assistant for two years (1985-86 and '86-87) working with the defensive line and assisting with the strength program. He additionally was an assistant defensive line coach and headed up strength and conditioning for football at West Virginia's Shepherd College (1987-88). From 1988-90, Kent was an assistant strength coach at East Carolina.

Kent earned his bachelor's degree from Fairmont State (W.Va.) in 1982 and his master's from NC State in 1987.

Personal Information
Born: 7/8/60
Hometown: Parkersburg, W.Va.
Alma Mater: Fairmont State, '82
Family: Kent's wife's name is Deena.

Coaching Experience
College
North Carolina State, 1985-87, football graduate assistant (defensive line).
Shepherd (W.Va.) College, 1987-88, strength and conditioning coach/defensive line coach.
East Carolina, 1988-90, assistant director of strength and conditioning.
Appalachian State, 1990-99, strength and conditioning coordinator.
Eastern Kentucky, 1999-2000, strength and conditioning coordinator.
Louisville, 2000-04, football strength and conditioning coordinator.
Pittsburgh, 2004-present, football strength and conditioning coach.

High School
East Fairmont (W.Va.) High, 1982-84, head wrestling coach/assistant football coach/assistant track & field coach.
Miramar (Fla.) High, 1984-85, strength and conditioning coach/assistant football coach.