Mizzou hires Rohrk Cutchlow as Strength and Conditioning Coach

Courtesy of MUTigers.com

University of Missouri Head Football Coach Barry Odom has recruited Rohrk Cutchlow (pronounced ROAR-k) to join his new staff at Mizzou in the vital role of Director of Athletic Performance, as announced today.  In his new position, Cutchlow will oversee all aspects of the Mizzou Football strength and conditioning program.  His start date in January is to be determined.

Cutchlow is a 17-year veteran of the athletic performance industry, and he's regarded as one of the top coaches in the trade.  For the past 12 years, he's directed athletic performance for football programs, including the last four at his alma mater Memphis, where he's played a big role in Memphis developing into one of the top programs in the American Conference.  The Tigers won the AAC and finished 10-3 overall in 2014, and followed up with another strong 9-4 season in 2015, spending much of the season ranked in the top-25. During his time with Memphis, Cutchlow aided in the development of Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist and projected first-round NFL draft pick.

"I'm very excited to have Rohrk be part of our program at Mizzou," said Odom.  "He's a guy who is highly sought after and has had several other opportunities.  He made a big impression on me in my time at Memphis, so our relationship goes back through a rebuilding project there that allowed his influence to make a huge difference in our program.  He's very well-respected nationally, and he instills great toughness and leadership with his teams.  Rohrk will be a great asset to our coaching staff, in the way that he touches our players every day, as well as the results he will get.  He will be very challenging and demanding of our players, but they will respond and appreciate his approach and his ability to get them into the best physical and mental condition that they can be," he said.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to join the Mizzou family," Cutchlow said.  "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Barry Odom and believe strongly in his vision for the Mizzou Football program.  I also feel very fortunate to work for a prestigious institution like the University of Missouri and to be entrusted with the responsibility of directing the strength and conditioning programs for our football student-athletes.  I can't wait to get to Columbia and get started," he said.

Pat Ivey's replacement is someone Odom has previous experience with, both started working at Memphis in 2012.

Rohrk Cutchlow's Coaching History:
July 2013-Dec. 2015 Memphis – Director of Athletic Performance
May 2012-June 2013 Memphis – Director of Football Strength and Conditioning
Feb. 2011-April 2012 Tulsa – Director of Strength and Conditioning
July 2007-Feb. 2011 Illinois State – Assistant Athletics Director/Sports Performance
Nov. 2003-June 2007 Illinois State – Strength and Conditioning Coordinator
April 2002-Sept. 2003 Iowa Cubs Baseball Club – Volunteer Strength and Conditioning Coach
Jan. 2001-Nov. 2003 Iowa State – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Olympic Sports
Aug. 1999-Dec. 2000 Iowa State – Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Aug. 1998-Feb. 1999 Memphis – Volunteer Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coach

A few articles about Coach 'Cutch'

ISU losing more than a strength coach in Cutchlow

"He contributed more than in the strength room. He set a tone from a discipline perspective, too," interim athletics director Larry Lyons said. "He was in on a lot of search committees for head coaches. He's a well-rounded guy and a really bright guy." ISU coaches appreciated Cutchlow's knack for "breaking down" a Redbird newcomer with delusions of grandeur and/or a questionable work ethic. Those who entered Owen as prima donnas seldom left that way.

Memphis football strength coach flexing his muscle

Upon Cutchlow's arrival after last year's spring practice, Tiger defensive back Bobby McCain knew workouts were going to have a different tempo. He said one of the first drills Cutchlow introduced was a workout called the "Colorado Circuit."

The Colorado Circuit is a workout sequence that progresses from one drill to the next, as long as you do the previous drill correctly. If not, the drill is repeated until completed properly.

"He's not really a rah-rah guy, but he's a guy who comes up to you and says ?You've got to get the work done' just like Fuente," McCain said. "If you don't come ready to work, he's going to let you know it. He's going to tell you to turn it up a notch.

New Mizzou hire Rhork Cutchlow is a Memphis grad - played catcher for the Tigers - and named his daughter Memphis. Solid hire for Odom

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 31, 2015

Finally, ol' David takes the words right out of my mouth.

Rohrk Cutchlow also sounds as if it could be a super hero's secret identity. So there's that.

— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) December 31, 2015