General | February 01, 2022

AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken is pleased to announce Zach Gilmer as the head strength and conditioning coach.

"It's really exciting to have someone solely dedicated to strength and conditioning," Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Brandon Aiken stated. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the position. Zach wants our student-athletes to understand the methods and why they are doing each exercise. He will have a positive impact on our student-athletes."

Gilmer returns to his alma mater after earning a bachelor of science in exercise and sports science with a minor in psychology in 2020. Named the 2019-20 exercise science Student of the Year, Gilmer was a three-year teaching assistant for the exercise physiology lab, exercise testing lab and fitness assessment lab. That same year, he was voted the campus rec and wellness Employee of the Year. 

"I'm ready and excited to be the head strength and conditioning coach at USC Aiken," Gilmer said. "I love the community. We have top-notch facilities and student-athletes to make good things happen." 

Gilmer has completed his coursework for his masters in human performance with a strength and conditioning cognate from Liberty University.  

Gilmer holds certifications in CSCS, NASM CPT and BLS. 

He has been a strength and conditioning coach at Liberty University since 2020. There, he worked with the men's basketball team under Henry Barrera. Gilmer assisted with the LU men's and women's hockey performance. He also worked with program implementation, testing and re-testing of key performance indicators. 

While in Lynchburg, Va., he was also the head strength coach of New Covenant School. 

"The University of South Carolina Aiken gave me so much when I was here," Gilmer stated. "My purpose is to serve God and serve people and I would love to serve in the place that empowered me to go after my dream."

Gilmer has been a personal trainer in Charlottesville, Va., and Aiken, S.C., since 2012. At USC Aiken, he will oversee all 10 sports.