VERMILLION, S.D.—University of South Dakota athletic director
David Herbster has named Clete McLeod head strength and conditioning coach for the Coyotes. McLeod takes the reigns from Jevon Bowman and begins immediately.
McLeod joins the pack with nearly 20 years of experience in the field. He has spent the last two years working as associate head strength and conditioning coach for Nebraska Cornhusker football, and spent the previous five years as the head strength coach at his alma mater, Southern Illinois. He totaled five more years from Oregon State, Southeast Missouri State and Northern Illinois, and has been coaching high-level athletes since 2001.
"I want to thank the University of South Dakota athletes, community and administration for making my wife, Poppy, and me feel so welcome," said McLeod. "I'm blessed to work in a world-class training facility as part of a family with a genuine vision of success for its athletes. I look forward to many years of hard work, growth and success as a Coyote."
McLeod has proven knowledge in the science and practice of power-athlete development and injury management, and a deep understanding of sports nutrition and recovery. He has coached in the Ohio Valley, Missouri Valley, MAC, Pac-12, and, most recently, the Big Ten Conferences. He has developed and implemented multi-year training programs for future NFL, NBA, MLB and Olympic athletes.
"I am excited to welcome someone with Clete's experience and background to the Coyote family," said USD athletics director
David Herbster. "Our student-athletes will benefit greatly from his knowledge."
McLeod grew up in Assumption, Illinois, where we began working on his family's farm at an early age. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school, and joined the Army upon graduation. He served three years as an Airborne Infantryman in Georgia before starting school at Southern Illinois. There, he earned bachelor's degrees in exercise science as well as food & nutrition, and a master's degree in physical education, studying exercise physiology.
McLeod is a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certified strength and conditioning specialist *Distinguished, a USA Weightlifting certified club coach, and USA Track & Field Level 1 coach.
