Exercise science graduate reaps invaluable lessons from Ohio State Buckeyes’ national championship run

In the first year of the expanded College Football Playoff, the Ohio State Buckeyes survived the gauntlet of winning four playoff games in four weeks to earn its ninth national championship.

Helping to lay the groundwork in navigating what ended up being a 16-game season — the longest in college football history — was the team’s highly regarded strength and conditioning program and staff.

Playing a part in that success — Nolan Michaels ’23, an exercise science graduate from Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg who recently earned his master’s degree in kinesiology at Ohio State while serving as an intern with Ohio State Football Strength and Conditioning.

“It was definitely a grind, to say the least,” Michaels said. “Early mornings, late nights, weight room sessions, meetings, practices, and recovery all became part of the routine. With such a long season, injuries and recovery became even more critical. Strength and conditioning were essential in properly programming training to account for the toll that each game took on the athletes' bodies.”

Michaels said Dan Cencer, the team's sports scientist, was essential to that process.

“We had a data-driven approach to monitoring overall fatigue, central nervous system stress, and other key sports science metrics,” Michaels said. “His insights helped us adjust training loads and recovery protocols throughout the season to keep players performing at their peak when it mattered most.”

Another key component, according to Michaels, was strategic planning. Especially when the team advanced into the postseason and faced increased pressure with each game.

“Programming each lift and recovery session to prepare for the next opponent was crucial,” Michaels said. “For example, when facing Tennessee in the first round — a team known for its high-tempo offense and minimal rest between plays — conditioning was very important. However, by that point in the season (Week 14), accumulated central nervous system fatigue was already high. The challenge was to increase conditioning without overloading the athletes and negatively impacting their recovery.”

Experiencing the behind-the-scenes work of Ohio State’s strength and condition program gave Michaels a plethora of lessons and key takeaways for his upcoming professional pursuits.

“I saw firsthand the level of preparation, discipline, and attention to detail required to compete at the highest level,” Michaels said. “While it’s nearly impossible to replicate Ohio State’s exact culture elsewhere, my goal is to take the lessons and insights I’ve gained from this experience and apply them in my own way with the teams I work with in the future.”

Michaels admits though, the foundation for his career path — whether it leads to personal training, strength and conditioning, coaching, or physical education — was laid at Bloomsburg, where he also played four years as goalkeeper for the Huskies men’s soccer team.

“Coach Andrew Foor played a pivotal role in advancing my training,” Michaels said. “His structured programs significantly improved my performance on the field, and his guidance deepened my understanding of how strength and conditioning can elevate athletic potential.”

As Michaels battled through several injuries during his collegiate career, he saw firsthand the importance of strength and conditioning for performance, as well as injury prevention and recovery.

“By my final semester, I had the opportunity to work alongside Coach Foor,” Michaels said. “That hands-on experience solidified my passion for this career path.”

Lessons were learned in the classroom as well, of course.

“From anatomy to exercise technique, continues to influence my daily coaching responsibilities,” Michaels said. “I often find myself going back to the fundamentals I learned in those classes when working with athletes, whether it’s understanding biomechanics, applying proper movement patterns, or designing effective training programs.”

Communication and relationship-building were also essential skills Michaels honed as an undergraduate.

“My time at Bloomsburg helped me develop the confidence to interact with athletes, coaches, and colleagues effectively,” Michaels said. “It also taught me the importance of reaching out for help, networking, and utilizing available resources — many of which I still reference today.”

Michaels took full advantage of his one-in-a-lifetime opportunity at Ohio State.

“Under the guidance of Coach Zach Higgins and the rest of the strength staff, I was able to grow personally and professionally,” Michaels said. “While I started with typical intern responsibilities, I earned the trust of the staff over time, which allowed me greater autonomy in working directly with players during their daily lifts. This on-the-floor coaching experience was where I developed the most. I firmly believe the best learning happens through hands-on practice, and being immersed in that environment every day significantly advanced my coaching abilities and confidence.”

Additionally, Michaels worked closely with Antonio Turner, associate director of strength and conditioning, to implement training and conditioning programs for the NFL Combine and Ohio State’s Pro Day.

“One of the biggest lessons I learned from this experience is the importance of giving 110% effort in everything you do — whether it’s picking up cones or coaching on the floor,” Michaels said. “Every task, no matter how small, has a purpose and contributes to the bigger picture. Working with high-level athletes taught me that authenticity and consistency are key. Being yourself, maintaining a strong work ethic, and staying dedicated to the process are what lead to success in this field.”

And success is exactly what Michaels experienced and witnessed first-hand.

“Ultimately, the collective hard work of the staff and athletes throughout the year paid off in the best possible way — winning the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship,” Michaels said. “Being part of that journey reinforced my belief in the power of dedication, teamwork, and the impact that a strong strength and conditioning program can have on a team’s success.”