Following the departure of strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert to the Los Angeles Chargers to join Jim Harbaugh’s staff, the University of Michigan swiftly named Justin Tress as his successor. Tress, who has been with the program since 2018, takes over as the Director of Strength and Conditioning. Abigail O’Connor, the Director of Performance Nutrition, will continue in her role with the program.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Tress acknowledged the belief shown in him by Coach Sherrone Moore and the endorsement from Coach Herbert. He emphasized his excitement about leading the strength and conditioning program alongside a talented coaching team and their shared goal of developing student-athletes both physically and mentally for competition.
Coach Moore expressed enthusiasm for retaining both Tress and O’Connor, emphasizing their integral roles in the program’s success. Tress, mentored by Herbert, is seen as continuing the legacy established with Michigan Football. Coach Herbert praised Tress’s commitment and intelligence, expressing confidence in his ability to build upon the program’s legacy.
Having been a part of the Michigan Football Strength and Conditioning staff since 2018, Tress previously served as the associate director in the 2023 season. His coaching journey includes time with Herbert at Arkansas and earlier with the University of Alabama’s strength and conditioning staff during a CFP National Championship victory in 2015.
Justin Tress, aged 28 and a former defensive back at Kent State, earned his degree in exercise science. Abigail O’Connor, the Director of Performance Nutrition for the past six seasons, remains a key figure in player development. O’Connor, a board-certified specialist in Sports Dietetics, expressed confidence in maintaining the program’s elite standards for student-athlete development under their leadership.
