Tolbert Named Director of Football Strength and Conditioning
1/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
• Kornacki: Tolbert Brings Championship Mentality to Weight Room
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday (Jan. 12) the hiring of Kevin Tolbert as the program's Director of Football Strength and Conditioning. Tolbert returns to the Michigan football program where he served as an assistant strength coach during Lloyd Carr's tenure (2001-07).
"Kevin is an outstanding leader who will immediately make an impact on the young men in our program as the director of strength and conditioning," said Harbaugh, the Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach. "He brings tremendous experience from the NFL and collegiate ranks, and his knowledge of Michigan makes him a terrific addition. He is a competitor and a winner, and I couldn't be happier to have him here in Ann Arbor."
"Having the opportunity to return to Michigan, and come here with Coach Harbaugh, is an opportunity that I know is the right fit," said Tolbert. "I spent many great years in Ann Arbor, and have had the good fortune to work with Jim for several years after that. I look forward to getting started again here. We want to be competitors and leaders in everything we do. That is the mission of Michigan, and I am excited to be a part of it."
Tolbert has spent the past six years working with head coach Jim Harbaugh, the past four seasons as the assistant strength and conditioning coach with the San Francisco 49ers (2011-14) and two seasons with Harbaugh at Stanford (2009-2010). Tolbert was the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Cardinal in 2009 before being promoted to head strength and conditioning coach for the 2010 season.
Prior to joining Harbaugh's staff at Stanford, Tolbert spent the 2008 season as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Detroit Lions.
Tolbert joined the Michigan football staff prior to the 2001 Florida Citrus Bowl victory against Auburn and spent seven seasons with the program. Tolbert specialized in developing team speed under legendary strength and conditioning coach Mike Gittleson.
He joined the Michigan staff after three years at the University of Miami (Florida), working with the football, basketball and soccer programs. Prior to working with the Hurricanes, Tolbert spent 10 years as a general manager and personal trainer at Mainline Health & Fitness (1988-1998). He worked as the head trainer/conditioning specialist at Ken Leistner's Training before joining the staff at Mainline Health and Fitness. While there Tolbert directed the overall strength and conditioning of numerous athletes including 1996 Olympic gold medalist in the 400-hurdles Derrick Adkins. He was a volunteer strength and conditioning coach with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles (1996-97).
A native of St. Albans, New York, Tolbert earned his bachelor of sciences degree in 1981 from the United States Naval Academy. He was a three-year football letterman for the Midshipmen, helping the squad earn a pair of bowl victories.
He has four children: Kimberly, Kaitlin, Courtney and Matthew.
Communications Contacts: David Ablauf, Zach Eisendrath (734) 763-4423
