NSCA’s Coaching Podcast, Episode 16: Micah Kurtz

Micah Kurtz, Director of Strength and Conditioning at AC Flora High School talks to the NSCA Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Scott Caulfield, about high school strength and conditioning, and how to break into the field.

Micah Kurtz is in his eighth year as Director of Strength and Conditioning at AC Flora High School, which has won 14 state championships in the past five years, including the 2016 boy’s basketball and boy’s golf championships. He also serves as the Strength and Conditioning Consultant Coach to the nine-time high school basketball champion Oak Hill Academy. Kurtz was named the NSCA National High School Strength and Conditioning Coach of the year in 2016 and the South Carolina High School Strength Coach of the year in 2013 and 2014. 

Follow Micah on Twitter and Instagram as @KurtzM3 or visit his website at: www.TheAthleteMaker.com |Find Scott on Twitter: @scottcaulfield

On breaking into a high school where there is not an existing program: “You really need to go to a school and introduce yourself to the coaches and the athletic directors. Let them know what you do.” 2:05

“More and more schools are understanding the value of having a full-time certified strength coach.” 7:40

“Can you live pretty comfortably being a high school strength coach? Yes, definitely.” 9:00

“Your job security is much, much higher at the high school level.” 9:15

“We have to meet the athlete where they are. You can’t have them all doing the exact same movements.” 10:52

“We’ve been able to expand our program to where we are bringing fourth and fifth graders over a few days a week… and they are learning those fundamental movement skills at that young age.” 14:45

“If you spend time cultivating a good relationship with [your athletes], and they understand everything that you’re doing is to improve them as a person and as an athlete, they’re going to buy in and do what you say.” 22:40

“You’re not in it for yourself. You’re not in it to get rich. It’s all about making your athletes better and giving back to the profession.” 30:30

“Kids need to understand that you’re going to have failures in life and you should not get rewarded and get an award for everything you do.” 35:22

“Don’t place an overemphasis on winning, but don’t devalue the importance of having success and winning.” 35:35 

Reporting Errors: To report errors in a podcast episode requiring correction or clarification, email the editor at publications@nsca.com or write to NSCA, attn: Publications Dept., 1885 Bob Johnson Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. Your letter should be clearly marked as a letter of complaint. Please (a) identify in writing the precise factual errors in the published podcast episode (every false, factual assertion allegedly contained therein), (b) explain with specificity what the true facts are, and (c) include your full name and contact information.