First: What is this award based upon? Political stature within a peer organization or performance? Publication within peer-reviewed journals or measured results on the ground? I've been a part of several peer organizations. The award can be significant or hollow and almost meaningless - a meaningful kudo or glittery bauble.
I've seen people go after that kind of recognition and get it, add the bullet point to their resume', and boost their creds beyond their level of competence. I've also seen it work the other way - somebody who has worked hard, made meaningful contributions over a period of years, finally gets recognition they deserve.
Second: (And Mama, maybe you can help me out here.) Wasn't there a staff shuffle (read that lots of walking papersfor underperformers and new hires) within the S&C group a recently? Putting the right people in key places, setting high standards for performance, and monitoring without micro-managing leads to success and high achievement. I hope this is the case with the Rams.
I ask because with the proliferation of lower leg injuries last year and the years before, I raised the question of what the strength and conditioning coaches were doing. Injuries tend to occur in clusters.
The Rams had hired a batch of college guys into a mileu where full-time professional athletes must train at a higher, more intense level than college kids. The differences are significant. Developmentally you can't push them as hard as you can guys who are 22 and older. Their bodies won't take it. But you can push the training program of somebody who is older, whose tissues are more fully formed, and in professional football you train for injury prevention and peak performance on a position-by-position basis. The weight room and other training facilities are more like a lab than a gym.
I used to know a guy who was on Joe Gibbs' staff at Washington where he was on staff for several years before being offered the top S&C position. The Redskins were tough and physically ready to play in those days. I learned a few things from him and valued my time with him.
