Joe Connolly nominated for prestigious NSCA Coach of the Year Award

Arizona State’s Joe Connolly, the Sun Devils’ head coach of football sports performance, has been named a nominee for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year award, marking another major milestone in an already standout year.

The Post-Championship Season Recognition

The nomination follows a spectacular 2024 season where Connolly was given the Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year award by FootballScoop. His efforts contributed to the Arizona State run to a Big 12 Championship that enhanced the physical image of the school and its performance.

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham has attributed the effect of Connolly to a secretive science and perspire training philosophy. The system incorporates high-tech science in sports with a rigorous work culture designed to maximize development and durability in players during the season.

Proven Player Development

Connolly is greatly admired for having changed athletes at Arizona State, as well as great performers like Cam Skottebo and Clayton Smith. The show was regarded at the national level as Smith was ranked 87th on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, a list of the highest physical standards in the program.

At the professional level, he also has a significant influence, with some of his former Sun Devils going on to play in the NFL, including a first-round draft pick in Brandon Aiyuk.

Elite Position in the Profession

In 2022, Connolly became the Master Strength and Conditioning Coach (MSCC) as recognized by the CSCCa, the top award of the discipline. He is now part of a very competitive pool of nominees because NSCA still values excellence even on college level.

The nomination of Connolly further supports the upward trend of Arizona State as a force in the development of players and sports performance.