Series: Big Changes Coming to College Football in the Next Decade (and How They Will Impact the Crimson Tide) - Sports Science
Not quite two years ago, the University of Alabama made what is proving to be the second most important hire in college football. This hire wasn’t of a top-flight recruiter or a premier play caller. No, the hiring of Matt Rhea, PhD. and his partner in crime David Ballou changed the landscape of sports science and athletic performance for Alabama Football, and the results are just beginning.
Rhea and Ballou came to Alabama from Indiana University where they established one of the most impressive sports science operations in the world. At Alabama, Rhea and Ballou are bringing their innovative approach to preparation and rehabilitation to a destination with nearly unlimited resources and superior athletes. This combination spells trouble for the rest of college football.
In their first year, Alabama Football recorded 49% less “Time Lost to Injury” than the NCAA average according to one of Rhea’s Tweets. This statistic doesn’t tell the entire story. Alabama’s Sports Science Center allows Dr. Rhea and his team to collect and process data on athletic performance and recovery and to implement state-of-the art recovery technology along with athletic training and nutrition programs to maximize the performance of each athlete in the program.
This attention to detail combined with the excellent care that student athletes receive under the watchful eye of Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Jeff Allen and his team. As recently chronicled by ESPN.com, Allen is at the pinnacle of his profession and is regarded by many as the glue that holds Alabama football together.
As programs look for a competitive edge and as NIL place even more emphasis upon athletes’ taking care of their bodies as an investment, look for programs to engage in a growing arms race regarding cutting edge sports science programs.
How do you see the role of sports science in today’s college football? I’d love to see your comments and talk more. Share your comments here or on Twitter to continue the conversation.
