CLEVELAND, Miss. - A new era in sports performance training is coming to Delta State University's 350-plus student-athletes, as Mike Kinnison, Director of Athletics, named Kevin Rodriguez to the post of Head Strength & Conditioning Coach on Monday, Jan. 21. Rodriguez comes to Delta State from Angelo State University, where he worked extensively with the Rams' programming for women's soccer, men's basketball, women's volleyball and football.

"We are excited to add someone with Coach Rodriguez's background and acumen to our coaching staff," Kinnison said. "This grant-funded position will be a game changer for our programs and is a position we have needed for quite sometime. Not only will Coach Rodriguez's addition help our Statesmen and Lady Statesmen, he will be a key part of our partnership with the Bolivar Medical Center and the BMC Foundation to better educate our community on the prevention of sports-related training injuries."

Rodriguez, a 2016 graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, holds accreditation with the USA Weightlifting as a Level 1 Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He is also certified by the American Red Cross in CPR/AED. 

The Harlingen, Texas native has worked extensively to build his coaching portfolio. While at Texas A&M_Kingsville, Rodriquez implemented programming for women's golf and track and field while assisting workouts for eight of the Javelinas' teams. During the summer of 2016, he worked with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with their Olympic sports training program, including classes on proper Olympic weightlifting technique.

During the summers of 2017 and 2018, Rodriguez spent time at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University, where he worked with the Rebels' men's basketball and women's golf programs, and the Bulldogs' summer football camps. 

While completing his master's at Angelo State, Rodriguez created and implemented programming for women's soccer, men's basketball, women's volleyball and football. He also administered workouts for various ASU teams while directing the Rams intern schedules and instructional groups. 

At every spot along the way, he has managed the weight facility while maintaining equipment. 

Rodriguez is a 2016 graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a bachelor's degree in exercise science. He completed his master's in education with a focus in student development and leadership from Angelo State University in May 2018.