Michigan football’s strength and conditioning coach, Ben Herbert, has been making headlines lately for his impressive success with Michigan football players. While he is still in his mid-30’s, he is anything but an overnight success. Herbert has quietly, but impressively, impacted every team he’s worked with, which is why I see him as Michigan’s secret weapon.
Ben Herbert is a Pittsburgh native. He attributes his work ethic, attention to detail, and perseverance to his parents, Jim and Linda. Herbert played on the defensive line at the University of Wisconsin from 1998 to 2001 and immediately moved into an internship with the program in 2002. He was promoted to assistant strength and conditioning coach in 2003 and spent the next 11 years with the Badgers, including 4 years as the head strength and conditioning coach.
In 2015, Ben Herbert was named the “Master Strength and Conditioning Coach” by the CSCCA. This is often referred to as the highest honor in the profession.
Michigan is coming off of back-to-back Big 10 championships for the first time in nearly 20 years, and Ben Herbert’s impact cannot be overstated. Herbert is no stranger to Big 10 Championships. He won 3 of them in a row with Wisconsin from 2010 to 2012. He’s trained more than 80 NFL draft picks and played an integral part in multiple players becoming Heisman finalists.
Ben Herbert was hired at Michigan on January 4th, 2018. His impact was immediately felt, but his true effect on the program came when his first freshman class became seniors. Since Herbert has had a roster full of players that he’s worked with for at least 4 years, Michigan’s overall record is 25-3. During this impressive stretch, Michigan bullied and outlasted teams in situations where they previously would have folded.
The accomplishments of the Michigan football team continued on an individual basis this past week when Michigan players impressed scouts at the NFL Combine. DJ Turner, who was not originally expected to be one of the fastest players in the draft, shockingly ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash. This was the fastest 40-yard dash time of any player at the combine. Mazi Smith bench-pressed 225 pounds 34 times, which was the most of any defensive lineman. And Luke Schoonmaker ran the 5th fastest 40-yard dash time of all tight ends at the combine. Behind each of these individuals’ success, is the man that’s been working with them every day in college, Michigan’s Ben Herbert.
With a talented team returning next season, the Michigan Wolverines are primed for another stab at the College Football Playoff. When you see their big men in trenches pushing around bodies and their skill position players outrunning defenders, don’t be surprised. Michigan’s secret weapon, strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert, is no longer a secret.
