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Saturday, July 24, 2021

Aaron Feld, national treasure

Oregon's Aaron Feld is the best strength coach in college football. 

Behind the bellow, the hype and the impressive Snidely Whiplash waxed mustache is a superb motivator and an expert on training for strength, explosion and flexibility.



It's important to remember that last season the players got sent home because Covid restrictions shut down PAC-12 football. Spring practice was cancelled after four sessions.

The Ducks lost their Fourth Quarter Program, precious months of development under the guidance of the strength and conditioning staff.

It's a key element of Mario Cristobal's master plan for Oregon football, an invaluable edge.

Instead, Covid protocols dumbed down everyone's training, leveling off preparation. It forced everyone back toward the mean, toward mediocrity, a big part of why the Ducks stumbled against Cal and Oregon State and struggled with UCLA. They weren't as conditioned. They hadn't made the gains that separate them from average teams and substandard cultures.

There were other reasons, of course, but this one is significant. This summer you have freshman cornerbacks at Oregon pushing up 500 pounds. Quarterback Anthony Brown squats 475, lineman Logan Sagapolu, 600. Here's guard Marcus Harper with a new maximum lift:

 


The Oregon team that takes the field in September won't be intimidated by anyone. They'll have a renewed push at the line of scrimmage. 

The Ducks have had a long undeserved reputation as a soft, finesse team. This year, the dominating, physical character Mario Cristobal has envisioned can be fully realized.

That will translate to push at the line of scrimmage. It will translate to wins.

In addition to his work with the Ducks, Feld tirelessly promotes fitness with his annual "Fill the Sleeves" campaign, a benefit for Special Olympics. 






Posted by Dale Bliss at 5:53 AM

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