Talkin’ Pitt #43 - Elevating Performance with Coach Anthony Cockrill of SMU Volleyball

Welcome back to Talkin’ Pitt! In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Cockrill, Director of Volleyball Sports Performance at SMU, to explore the evolution of his coaching career and how he’s helping redefine strength and conditioning for volleyball at the collegiate level.

Coach Cockrill has been instrumental in shaping SMU’s volleyball program as they transition into the ACC, and he’s not just training athletes—he’s changing the way we think about performance, recovery, and development. Whether you're a strength coach, an athlete, or just passionate about high-level training, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, we cover:

✅ SMU’s Rise in the ACC – How the program is exceeding expectations and setting new standards in volleyball performance.
✅ The Coaching Journey – From an unexpected start at a D2 school to leading the charge in a Power 5 program, Anthony shares the lessons he’s learned along the way.
✅ Omni Contraction Training & Weight Releasers – Why eccentric training is a game-changer and how he’s implementing it to maximize jump performance.
✅ Building a Culture of Strength & Buy-In – The role of recruiting, communication, and setting clear expectations before athletes even step on campus.
✅ Managing Stress & Recovery – The science of balancing training loads, nutrition, sleep, and external stressors to keep athletes at peak performance.
✅ The Business of Strength & Conditioning – How strength coaches can expand their impact beyond the weight room, use social media to share knowledge, and navigate entrepreneurship in the industry.

Anthony brings an honest and refreshing perspective on what it takes to be a great coach—both in the weight room and in life. His forward-thinking approach to performance training is something every coach can learn from.

🔊 Listen now and get ready to take your coaching mindset to the next level!