Mike Curtis Men's Basketball Strength/Conditioning Coach
Story Links
CHARLOTTESVILLE—Mike Curtis, the director of strength and conditioning for the Michigan athletics department since September of 2008, was named head strength and conditioning coach for the Virginia men’s basketball program on Monday (May 11). UVa’s Executive Associate Director of Athletics Jon Oliver announced Curtis’ appointment.
At Michigan, Curtis supervised and managed the training efforts of more than 20 athletic teams, five assistant coaches and two training facilities. He was primarily responsible for the implementation of performance training programs for men’s and women’s basketball.
Curtis, a former basketball player at Virginia, was the head strength and conditioning coach for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association for six years (2002-08) before assuming his responsibilities at Michigan.
“Mike Curtis stands for everything we want to accomplish relative to our goals for the men’s basketball program and the athletics department,” Oliver said. “I first met Mike almost four years ago and told him then that he would have to come home one day, so I’m absolutely thrilled he has agreed to join our staff. His familiarity with the University and his experience working with elite athletes makes for a perfect fit. Our student-athletes will enjoy working with Mike.”
Curtis also served as the basketball strength and conditioning coach at South Carolina for one year (2001-02) and was the director of strength and conditioning for Olympic sports at Dayton for one year (2000-01).
“Mike Curtis is a terrific addition to the Virginia men’s basketball program,” Virginia men’s head basketball coach Tony Bennett said. “Mike has six years of experience in the NBA, and his emphasis on maximizing functional strength and basketball specific athleticism will be great for our players. Without question, he is one of the elite strength and conditioning coaches in the country.
“I know the draw for Mike to return to his alma mater where he played and to also be near his family was very strong. He is passionate about everything UVa represents and we are extremely fortunate to have him join us.”
Curtis, who is from Richmond, Va., earned a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine from Virginia in 1998 and a master’s degree in exercise physiology in 2000. He lettered four times as a member of the Cavaliers’ men’s basketball team and was a team co-captain for the 1997-98 season.
“The University of Virginia is an extremely special place,” Curtis said. “I don’t think anyone knows that better than an individual who had the opportunity to be a student and an athlete at UVa. I can’t put into words my level of excitement about returning to help Coach Bennett and his staff with the men’s basketball program.
“It was a difficult decision to leave a great institution like the University of Michigan and a fine coach in John Beilein, but the state of Virginia and the University are, and always will be, home for me. I am eager to utilize my experiences both at the University and professionally to better prepare our basketball athletes for their experiences in the Atlantic Coast Conference and beyond.”
Curtis will assume his responsibilities at Virginia on June 8.