The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on April 24 the hiring of Don Sommer, who spent 20 years at TCU, including 14 years as Assistant AD for Strength & Conditioning, as head football strength and conditioning coach.
Sommer started at TCU in 2001 as their head strength and conditioning coach and was promoted to assistant athletic director in 2011. Sommer was in charge of the direction, design and delivery of strength, speed, agility, and conditioning programs for all of TCU’s 21 sports.
Sommer also supervised the operations of the strength and conditioning department including fiscal affairs, personnel, strategic planning, facilities, campus relationships, and student-athlete performance.
Sommer focused on the growth and development of all strength and conditioning coaches while also leading all facets of the strength and conditioning program to promote health, safety, treatment and general welfare of the student-athlete.
Sommer has guided over 25 National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-Americans, including a total of 10 student-athletes receiving the honor in the 2005-06 season. Sommer was named the 2008 National Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by FootballScoop.com.
“Donnie is the best I've ever been around,” Bush said. “His resume speaks for itself. He produced some of the strongest teams in the nation while at TCU. Our vision for UTRGV football is aligned and he'll be the most important force behind the culture we build here in the Valley.”
Sommer received the prestigious certification of Master Strength & Conditioning Coach by the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA) in 2003. Sommer also guided over 50 individuals into the strength and conditioning profession through the creation of the TCU Strength & Conditioning Internship Program.
Prior to joining TCU, Sommer spent nine years (1991-00) at the University of Missouri. Sommer started out as an assistant strength and conditioning coach before being promoted to Director of Strength and Conditioning in 1998.
“I am very excited to help Coach Bush and his staff bring collegiate football to the Rio Grande Valley,” Sommer said. “I can’t wait to get started.”
Sommer spent time in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, Houston Oilers, and Indianapolis Colts. Sommer was a four-year letterman and starter at UTEP where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Education and then earned his Master of Science in Health Education from Missouri upon the completion of his playing career.
