Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award
Awarded to the coach whose influence within the tactical (military, law enforcement, fire and rescue) setting exceeds that of standard, the Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award recognizes measurable improvements or innovations in the tactical training.
Tactical Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year Award Eligibility
Each nominee will be asked to fill out a criteria sheet that details career accomplishments and contributions to the tactical industry.
The criteria sheet assigns points to a variety of professional achievements, letters of recommendation, volunteer involvement with the NSCA, and other activities related to the tactical industry.
NSCA Members in good standing may nominate other NSCA Members or themselves.
Nominations are open September-January
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
| Current NSCA Member for 2 consecutive years |
| Current coach in tactical (military, law enforcement, fire and rescue) related setting |
| Must have a minimum of 5-years coaching directly related to tactical |
| Current CSCS certification |
| Cover letter and 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 with cover letter and CV/resume before the required deadline.
How Awardees are Selected for Tactical Awards
Gathering Nominations
Nominations are gathered September-January each year. Any nomination received before the established deadline will be accepted for review of eligibility. Nominees will be notified of their nomination along with a request to complete the award criteria sheet.
Eligibility Verification and Points Tally
NSCA Headquarters will verify eligibility and minimum category requirements have been met. The overall points for each nominees will be tallied, and qualified nominees will be notified.
Voting by Industry Leadership
The top three nominees based on overall points will be sent to the Tactical Award Task Force. The voting group will be determined based on the following:
1. The Task Force will be volunteers selected yearly by the Tactical Program Manager.
2. It will be apparent that the Task Force is impartial to the nominees.
3. The Task Force will be comprised of >50% non-coaching award recipients and <50% past coaching award recipients.
4. The Tactical Program Manager will certify that the policies and procedures for the nomination and awarding process were followed as outlined herein and will submit the winners’ names to the Awards and Honors Committee Chair for review and approval.
Awardee Notification
1. The Chair will notify NSCA Headquarters and the Awards and Honors Committee Chair of the selected recipient.
2. The Awards and Honors Committee Chair will notify the NSCA Board of Directors of the recipient.
3. The NSCA Headquarters will notify the recipient of the award, send regret notifications, create a Press Release announcement of the winner, and verify attendance at the National Conference awards banquet.
If there are no qualifying nominees, the award will not be given.
Award Timeline
September - nominations open
January – nominations close and nominees are contacted to submit award requirements
March – nominees are required to have all materials submitted and NSCA staff will evaluate that eligibility requirements have been met before submitting to the Committee, SIG, or Task Force.
April – Committee, SIG, or Task Force should vote and decide the winner and will submit the winners name to the National Office.
May – notifications to nominees will be sent by the National Office and press announcements will be coordinated
August – Award conferred at the Tactical Annual Training
Tactical Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year Recipients
Congratulations 2026 Tactical Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year
CJ French, MEd, CSCS, RSCC*D
Christina Jean “CJ” French is the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the 308th Rescue Squadron at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, where she draws on more than 23 years of experience to support the readiness and well-being of Combat Search and Rescue operators and support personnel. Previously, as Integration Lead and Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Holistic Health and Fitness Integration Team at the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training, French contributed to the development and revision of Army doctrine to align it with current human performance research and collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive performance services to future brigade and battalion commanders. With the 31st Rescue Squadron in Okinawa, Japan, she established the unit’s first human performance training facility, implemented human performance training programs, and helped onboard its first embedded sports medicine doctor, physical therapist, and athletic trainer. At the Tactical Air Control Party Schoolhouse at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, French designed and implemented the training pipeline’s first human performance program incorporating corrective exercises and advocated for athletic trainers within tactical performance training.
Read the Press Release
2025 Winner
Patrick McHenry, MA, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E
2024 Winner
Vernon Griffith II, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F
2023 - Ryan J. Fowler, MS, CSCS, TSAC-F, RSCC*D
2022 - Joseph R. Kelleher, CSCS, TSAC-F
2018 - MAJ Karen Daigle, MS, RD, CSCS, TSAC-F
2017 - MAJ Donald Bigham, MS, CSCS, TSAC-F, NSCA-CPT, RSCC
2016 - Mick Stierli, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D
2015 - JD Edwards, TSAC-F
2014 - Doug Briggs, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F, RSCC
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