Coach John Philbins has over three decades of experience working in the field of professional performance. The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) has honored him by bestowing upon him the title of “Emeritus” RSCC. Philbins serves on the NSCA Maryland State Board and is the current president of the National Strength Professionals Association.
Athletic Career
Philbins had an amazing athletic career with many features to wonder about. He was a member of the Olympic bobsled team, where he represented the U.S. He attended Frostburg University, where he was the team captain for the football team. Later, the All-American Track & Field Decathlete inducted him into the Hall of Fame.
Coaching Career
Coach Philbins has been the Washington Nationals Baseball Organization’s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for 7 years. His main goal was to make sure that the conditioning, nutrition, and supplement programs for the major and minor leagues worked together. He has also worked with several pro and Olympic athletes, creating new and innovative training methods.
He also organized the annual “Baseball Injury and Peak Performance” conference to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application, which attracted more than 500 professionals. Over eight years, he led the Washington Redskins as their speed and agility coach. After the Redskins won the Super Bowl, he became an assistant on Dan Riley’s staff. He also started three performance-based Athletic Training Centers (PATC), recognized as top training facilities by the American Federation of Academic Administrators (AFFA).
Coach Philbins is also an educator and industry leader. He founded the “National Strength Professionals Association,” authored three bestsellers, and given workshops in twenty-two countries. He has also published research on improving speed, agility, and power. At the University of Maryland, he teaches “The Science of Strength and Conditioning the Athlete.”
He worked for Frank Costello at the University of Maryland for four years as a strength and conditioning coach, collaborating with athletes like Skeets Nehemiah, Adrian Branch, and Lenny Bias. He also worked with world-class boxers, including Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, and Fernando Vargas. He has trained sprinters such as Hershel Walker, Darrel Green, Willie Gault, and Edwin Moses, an Olympic gold medallist.
Personal Information
- Born: Rockville, Maryland
- Nationality: American
Career Information
- High School: Peary High School
- College: Frostburg University