Ben Herbert Named U-M’s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
1/4/2018 5:36:00 PM | Football
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Thursday (Jan. 4) the hiring of Ben Herbert as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the program. Herbert joins the Michigan staff after spending the past five seasons at the University of Arkansas (2013-17).
During his career as a strength coach, Herbert has worked with 71 NFL Draft picks, including eight first-round selections. He coached two Heisman Trophy finalists, two Outland Trophy winners, two Doak Walker Award winners, 49 first-team All-Big Ten selections, four first-team All-SEC honorees and 30 All-Americans. He also won five Big Ten Conference titles and participated in five Rose Bowl games as both a player and coach.
Herbert developed 17 Razorbacks who were selected in the NFL Draft and worked with two first-team All-Americans and 14 All-SEC honorees. He was integral in the development of 2015 John Mackey Award winner Hunter Henry as the nation's top tight end and offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola, who was recipient of the 2015 Jacobs Blocking Trophy which is presented to the SEC's best blocker.
Herbert spent 11 seasons working with the strength and conditioning staff at Wisconsin, where he was involved in all aspects of sports performance for the football team. He was the football program's head strength and conditioning coach the final four seasons (2009-12) after serving as an assistant coach for six seasons (2003-08). Herbert began his career as an intern during the 2002 season.
During his tenure with the Badgers' strength staff, Herbert helped develop 41 NFL draft picks, including six first-round choices. Wisconsin also produced five national individual award winners, 28 All-America selections and 49 All-Big Ten first-team selections.
A Big Ten alum, Herbert was a four-year letterman and two-time Rose Bowl Champion at Wisconsin. He played along the defensive line for the Badgers, and currently holds the school record for most tackles for loss and sacks in a bowl game.
Herbert participated in 14 bowl games during his 15 years as a staff member and student-athlete at Wisconsin. He helped the Badgers claim three straight Big Ten Championships (2010-12) and appeared in three straight Rose Bowls for the first time since Michigan accomplished the feat during 1976-78 seasons.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Herbert received his bachelor's degree from Wisconsin in 2002. He is a certified member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches association (CSCCa). In 2015, Herbert earned the profession's highest honor when he was named Master Strength and Conditioning Coach (MSCC) by the CSCCa, becoming the youngest coach (35 years old) to earn the honor.
THE HERBERT FILE
Birthday: Nov. 30, 1979
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
High School: West Allegheny
College: Wisconsin (History, 2002)
Wife: Kelly
Children: Charlie and Thomas
