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Rice University Athletics
McKnight Named Football Strength/Conditioning Coach
1/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 10, 2006
Houston - Yancy McKnight will be the new head of the Rice strength and conditioning program for football, head coach Todd Graham has announced.
McKnight, 33, comes to Rice after two years as the head strength and conditioning coach at Louisiana Tech University and previously was the associate head strength coach at Oklahoma State University.
"We're excited to welcome Yancy into the Rice family," said Graham. "He's a high-energy, no-nonsense type leader who'll be a vital part of future successes."
McKnight helped Louisiana Tech to a 7-4 record in 2005. The Bulldogs won five of their last six games, including a 43-28 win at perennial Western Athletic Conference power Fresno State to close the season.
Before his stint at Oklahoma State, McKnight gained his reputation as a top strength and conditioning coach while directing the Adams Course in Dallas (1996-2001).
McKnight has also served as a strength and conditioning program design consultant for Performance Course, Inc., in Allen.
A 2001 graduate of Missouri Southern State University, the Joplin, Mo., native started his college career at Missouri State but transferred to his hometown school, Missouri Southern, becoming a three-time all-Mid-America Athletic Association offensive lineman (1993-95) and earning NCAA Division II all-America acclaim as a senior. He played in the 1995 Snow Bowl, that division's post-season all-star game. He was the Lions' team captain in '95.
At Joplin High, McKnight won all-state honors, was the Eagles' offensive player of the year and played in the Missouri state all-star game.
McKnight is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), a certified strength and conditioning coach (SCCC), and a USA Weightlifting Level I certified coach. He is married to the former Lynn Karns of Joplin.
