The High School Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award is awarded to a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS) who has demonstrated excellence the field of high school strength and conditioning.
Andrew Caldwell has over 20 years of experience as a strength coach. He currently serves as the Director of Athletic Development at Spartanburg High School, where he coordinates training for each sport while giving oversight to the implementation of the Long-Term Athletic Development program at both district middle schools. Coach Caldwell also serves on the South Carolina Advisor Board and South Carolina High School Strength Coaches Association (SCHSSCA) Board of Directors. Over the years, Coach Caldwell has differentiated his training time to develop athletes beyond the physical by developing a character education program and implementing book studies. He believes coaching is both an art and a science and strives to optimize both through collaboration with other subject areas to bridge the perceived gap between strength training, science, technology, engineering, and math. Coach Caldwell has a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University, a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Human Performance from East Tennessee State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education with a minor in Sports Management from Gardner-Webb University, where he wrestled. He is also a native of South Carolina and passionate about advancing the profession both in his home state and nationally. Coach Caldwell is married to Reisha Caldwell, who is a teacher at Pine Street Elementary School in Spartanburg, and they have three children, Owen, Lainey, and Gray.
Download the Press ReleaseCurrent NSCA Member |
Current CSCS Certification |
Not a previous recipient |
Cover letter, Resume or CV |
Additional requirements listed in the General Awards Criteria, include but not limited to, the nominee must be nominated by a member in good standing and nominees will be sent a criteria sheet to fill out that must be returned before the required deadline.
2022 - Richard C. Lansky, CSCS, RSCC*E | ![]() |
2021 - Sam Melendrez, MS, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D | |
2018 - James McFarland Jr, MEd, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D | ![]() |
2017 - Ryan Johnson, MEd, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D | ![]() |
2016 - Micah Kurtz, MS, CSCS, RSCC*D | ![]() |
2015 - Fred Eaves, MEd, CSCS, RSCC | ![]() |
2014 - Darnell Clark, MPE, CSCS, RSCC*D | ![]() |
2013 - Mike Duehring, MS, CSCS, RSCC,*D, USAW | |
2012 - Gary E. Schofield Jr, CSCS,*D | |
2010 - Scott J. Sahli, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D | |
2009 - Adam Beard, CSCS | |
2008 - Charles R. Wells, MS, CSCS,*D | |
2007 - Kevin Vanderbush, MS, CSCS | |
2006 - Ian Jeffreys, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT | |
2005 - Patrick McHenry, MA, CSCS,*D, RSCC | |
2004 - Bruce Harbach, CSCS,*D | |
2003 - Larry Meadors, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D | |
2002 - Rosalin Hanna, CSCS,*D | |
2001 - Stephen Nunnink | |
2000 - Patrick Mediate | |
1999 - Bud Bjornaraa | |
1998 - Robbie Robinson | |
1997 - Ron Thomson | |
1996 - Mike Nitka | |
1995 - Steve Kenyon | |
1994 - Edwin Jones | |
1993 - Dan Burk | |
1992 - Mike Burgener | |
1991 - John Waters |
Objectives:
Revise points structure and to funnel top three point receiving candidates for vote by the Coaching (RSCC) Taskforce and HS SIG Leadership, overseen annually by the Coaching Program Manager.
Procedure:
Selection Process