Wisconsin men’s basketball: UW hires Jim Snider as strength and conditioning coach

The Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team haven’t had a dedicated strength and conditioning coach since Erik Helland resigned in February of 2020 but that all changed on Thursday evening. Per a press release from UW, Jim Snider is now the full-time men’s basketball strength and conditioning coach.

Snider, who has worked at Wisconsin for more than a decade, spent time last season working with the men’s basketball program, as well as the Big Ten champion UW men’s hockey team.

Here is the rest of the press release from UW:

“First off, I want to thank all of the student-athletes I’ve had the privilege to work with,” Snider said. “Without them trusting in me to help shape and mold them as athletes, none of this would be possible. A huge thank you as well to my coaches, athletic trainers, equipment managers and those I’ve worked with who have empowered and challenged me to do my job to the fullest.

“I am looking forward to my new challenges with Wisconsin basketball. The foundation has been set by those who held this position before me, and I am indebted to my predecessor as a mentor and a friend. Thank you to Coach Gard and his staff for having the confidence in me, not only as a coach but as a person, as well. I look forward to continuing to build and elevate the Wisconsin men’s basketball program.”

“We got a chance to observe and interact with Jim over the last six to nine months while he has been working with our team, and we really learned a lot about him,” said head coach Greg Gard. “Not only did everyone inside our program give him the highest of marks, but we also found from speaking with people across the industry and outside of our athletic department that he’s as highly regarded as they come.

“With 20 years of experience in strength training, Jim is a student of his craft, always learning and implementing cutting-edge and innovative strategy. He’s very astute at modifying his training not only based on the sport, but also tailoring plans to fit the specific individual.

“Jim is extremely loyal to UW and our program and I know he’s really excited to continue helping our program develop and grow. The quality of his work and the impact he made this season really made this decision an easy one.”

Snider, who is in his second stint at Wisconsin, spent more than a decade working with the Wisconsin men’s and women’s hockey programs, helping develop numerous professional athletes and Olympians, while also continuing to welcome back many of those same Badgers to train in the offseason.

In his first experience at Wisconsin, Snider spent three seasons as assistant strength and conditioning coach following a year-long internship with the department. His primary responsibilities were men’s and women’s soccer, tennis and crew, while also assisting with football.

Between his stints with the Badgers, Snider spent two years as assistant director of strength and conditioning at the University of Minnesota. At Minnesota, Snider was responsible for the administration and development of athletic enhancement programs for men’s basketball, men’s and women’s hockey, baseball, and track and field, while managing full-time and intern personnel.

Snider originally came to Wisconsin on an internship related to his studies at UW-La Crosse, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in Exercise and Sport Science, with an emphasis in strength and conditioning, and also a degree in Sports Management in 2001. While at UW-La Crosse, Snider worked for three years with football, basketball, baseball, women’s soccer, men’s tennis and gymnastics.

Snider also has a master’s degree in Applied Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota, as well as a degree in Asian bodywork & therapeutic massage from East-West Healing Arts Institute.

Snider is a member of several organizations, including the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), and USA Weightlifting. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, Level II Senior Coach through USA Weightlifting, and also a certified and active referee through USA Weightlifting.

Snider is married to his wife, Jenna, and resides in Stoughton with his daughter, Stella, and son, Dakota.