“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” -Wendy Wunder
Daniel Chandler has returned to his alma mater at GRC as the strength and conditioning coach.
Many things influenced his decision when the strength and conditioning job opened up.
“The main thing that influenced me to come back to GRC was first and foremost the kids that I got to meet and work with while volunteering as a strength and conditioning coach last Spring,” says Chandler.” Second, having the opportunity to work at the school I graduated from made it even more worth it as I have the opportunity to give back to the community that raised me.”
Chandler had his most recent coaching career at the University of South Dakota working with football, track and field, softball, soccer, cross country, and women’s basketball.
He also learned a lot during his three college internships — the University of Miami FL (football), the University of Arkansas (football), and the University of Louisville (Olympic sports).
In high school athletics, it is important to have a strength and conditioning coach to hold student athletes accountable for their work on and off the field or court.
Coach Chandler has experience working with both college and high school athletes, but there are certain things he enjoys about working with high school athletes.
“I love the atmosphere and being able to truly teach movements and proper movement patterns that most individuals don’t know how to do,” says Chandler. “Teaching high school can be a challenge at times and I enjoy having to solve problems. I also like seeing knowledge that I have learned from other coaches and universities work and I can see improvement in athletic performance.”
Chandler has been working on specific improvements for the athletes of GRC.
“The biggest challenge so far is finding proficient ways to get nutrition for my athletes,” says Chandler. ”I have protein powder milk and orange juice which is provided through myself and football. I would like to have a budget so we can supply granola bars, oats, protein bars, etc., year-round for all athletes.”
GRC Baseball Head Coach Eddie Brooks believes the addition of Coach Chandler provides great preparation for what college athletics will look like and takes our high school athletes to the next level.
“Coach Chandler has a great understanding of the overall concept of what each sport needs and designs workouts accordingly for that kid and that sport,” says Brooks. “ We are truly blessed to have someone as knowledgeable as him to train our athletes and help them reach their goals.”
Coach Chandler has many goals for the athletic programs at GRC. He wants to bring up GRC’s strength and conditioning program to a high level.
“I have plans to revamp the entire weight room,” says Chandler.“I want to get more sports coaches involved in the Field House so that all of our sports can improve and continue to win region and state championships here at GRC”
