Colin Kenyon powers Tulane's new edge in strength and speed
Source: Nola Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
When Will Hall took the helm as Tulane's football coach in December, his first move signaled a clear priority: promoting Colin Kenyon from assistant strength and conditioning coordinator to director. Kenyon didn't hesitate. "I don't think I let him finish his sentence," Kenyon recalled. "I just kind of cut him off and said, 'Coach, I'm in, let's go to work.' I love coach Hall. When I heard it was going to potentially be him, I was like, wow, this is the guy for the job."
Eight months later, the wisdom of that decision is clear. Despite New Orleans' notorious humidity and heat, the Green Wave have endured only a handful of cramps through seven preseason practices. More telling: top-end speed has surged across multiple position groups. Running backs now average 22.2 mph, up from 20.9 last season. Even 210-pound back Jamauri McClure has hit 22 mph. Receivers have climbed to 21.4 mph from 20.8, and similar gains appear among linebackers and defensive backs.
Kenyon, 29, commands respect despite his youth and quiet demeanor. Unlike his predecessor Rusty Whitt—a talkative former Green Beret who followed Jon Sumrall to Florida—Kenyon leads with calm precision. "He's an unbelievable communicator," Hall said. "He's great at explaining why we're doing something to the young men. He has a unique way of motivating them, but they still love him. He's not their friend. He's their coach."
Kenyon didn't overhaul the winter conditioning program, known as the gauntlet, which he helped implement under Whitt in 2024. Instead, he redesigned summer workouts to simulate practice demands. Repetitive gassers were replaced by science-driven sessions using Catapult GPS tracking to ensure each player ran the precise distance needed for a game. "The wideouts last year ran almost 91,000 yards over the summer. This summer they ran 79,000 yards," Kenyon explained. "If I can get them in shape and healthy and run them 12,000 less yards, their bodies aren't as beat up."
Preventing soft-tissue injuries is central to his philosophy. Tulane uses NordBord testing to measure hamstring strength and identify weaknesses before they become problems. Kenyon hired Markus James from the University of Texas as associate director because of his expertise in treating such injuries. "It's a war of attrition," Kenyon said. "If you're not healthy by November, you have no chance to win."
Kenyon's path to this role began at Merrimack College, where he switched from athletic training to strength and conditioning as a sophomore. He worked with renowned trainer Mike Boyle, who served as strength coach for the Boston Bruins and Red Sox. His first full-time job was at Army, where he lived in the basement of strength coach Conor Hughes for months as a volunteer. After stints at Illinois and Troy, he reunited with Whitt in New Orleans. Now in his third year, he feels at home in the city. "It's cool being in a city where if you are good to the city, the city's good to you," he said.
Players swear by his methods. "From the freshmen to the upperclassmen, everybody's body has changed," said defensive tackle Derrick Shepard. "I feel way stronger, faster and more powerful than last year because of coach Kenyon." Starting center John Bock echoed that: "We are so fast, and I genuinely believe his approach to preventing soft-tissue injuries is going to take us into the conference championship again."
Kenyon rarely raises his voice, maintaining that constant yelling loses the room. "I'm in a fantastic mood 99.9% of the time," he said. "The guys know if I get to a point where I'm letting them have it, you messed up. It's real." That authenticity, combined with science-backed results, has made him the quiet force behind Tulane's rising physical edge.
Article commentary
Colin Kenyon's promotion from assistant to director of strength and conditioning at Tulane might seem like a routine internal move, but it reflects a broader shift in college football: the growing premium on science-based, player-centered conditioning. Kenyon's approach—emphasizing injury prevention, data-driven workload management, and trust over volume—represents a departure from the old-school, grind-until-you-break mentality still common in many programs. What stands out most is the specificity of his methods. By using GPS tracking to reduce total running yards while maintaining fitness, Kenyon directly addresses the paradox of overtraining. Many programs still equate conditioning with sheer volume, but Kenyon's data shows that less can be more—if it's smarter. The 12,000-yard reduction for wideouts, combined with increased speed, suggests that quality and intentionality trump sheer mileage. This is particularly relevant in a sport where soft-tissue injuries often derail seasons; Kenyon's focus on NordBord testing and hiring a specialist from Texas indicates a systematic approach to prevention. Kenyon's personality also marks a contrast. At 29, he is young for a head strength coach, and his low-key, rarely-yelling style could be dismissed as soft. But Hall's comments and player testimonials suggest otherwise. Building trust in the weight room is crucial, especially with today's athletes who value transparency and 'why' explanations. Kenyon's ability to motivate without fear—and to reserve his rare anger for moments that matter—creates a culture of accountability rather than intimidation. His background is instructive. The path from a volunteer at Army, living in a basement, to leading a Power Five program's strength program mirrors the resilience he demands from players. The connection to mentors like Mike Boyle and Conor Hughes shows a lineage of modern strength training philosophy. Yet Kenyon has adapted it to Tulane's context, maintaining the gauntlet program's core while innovating in summer conditioning. The results so far are promising: fewer cramps, measurable speed gains, and player buy-in. But the true test will come in November, when a healthy, fast team can make a championship push. If Kenyon's methods keep players on the field, Tulane could have a competitive edge that goes beyond X's and O's. The quiet revolution in strength and conditioning is often overlooked, but it may be the difference between a good season and a great one. One potential critique: the sample size is small—seven practices into preseason. The real challenge is sustaining these gains through a grueling season. Also, while Kenyon's approach is data-driven, football is still an unpredictable game. Injuries can happen despite best practices. Still, the early indicators are strong, and Kenyon's philosophy aligns with trends in sports science that prioritize recovery and movement quality over sheer volume. For Tulane, this move could be a defining factor in their quest for another conference title.