PULLMAN, Wash. - Scott Thom has been named Washington State University men's basketball strength and conditioning coach, head basketball coach Ernie Kent announced Wednesday.
"Scott has the experience and passion to help elevate our basketball program to another level when it comes to strength and conditioning," Kent said. "Having worked at this level in a successful basketball program like Cal's, he will blend nicely with our outstanding strength and conditioning team we already have in place here."
Thom spent the previous four years at California where he served as the strength and conditioning coach for the men's basketball program, working with former head coach Mike Montgomery and a strength and conditioning staff led by Mike Blasquez and Hank Behrens. The Golden Bears made postseason appearances in each of Thom's four years at Cal, while two of the student-athletes he helped train were named Pac-12 Players of the Year, Jorge Gutierrez (2011-12) and Allen Crabbe (2012-13), both who went on to play in the NBA.
"The Cougars will love Scott," Montgomery said. "He's an excellent strength coach, relates really well to the kids, has a ton of enthusiasm, just wants to be a part of it and wants to win and do whatever he can to help. He's a great addition to the Cougar family."
Prior to joining the staff at California, Thom coached basketball and taught physical education for seven years at Vintage High School in Napa, Calif. In 2009, Thom was named Coach of the Year as he led the Crushers to their first playoff appearance in 10 years. He was intern at Cal's strength and conditioning department where he worked primarily with the men's basketball program before being hired full-time in 2010.
"I was extremely fortunate to step into an environment at Cal led by Coach Montgomery, where his staff and the players created an energy that inspired you to do your best job," Thom said. "After meeting Coach Kent and the basketball staff at Washington State, I knew right away that this was going to be a great situation too. I was so excited after we all met and they showed me the amazing facilities, that I had a hard time falling asleep that night. I can't wait to meet the players and start training. I think Pullman is a special place and the school is filled with faculty, staff and coaches that believe deeply that Washington State can be a powerhouse in the Pac-12. I just want to help anyway I can and be part of the movement."
Thom received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Chico State and teaching credentials in physical education from Sonoma State. Certified though both CSCS and USAW, Thom is currently working on his master's degree in coaching and athletic administration through Concordia University.
(via WSU Athletics Communcations)
This post was edited on 6/4 2:09 PM by Britton Ransford
"Scott has the experience and passion to help elevate our basketball program to another level when it comes to strength and conditioning," Kent said. "Having worked at this level in a successful basketball program like Cal's, he will blend nicely with our outstanding strength and conditioning team we already have in place here."
Thom spent the previous four years at California where he served as the strength and conditioning coach for the men's basketball program, working with former head coach Mike Montgomery and a strength and conditioning staff led by Mike Blasquez and Hank Behrens. The Golden Bears made postseason appearances in each of Thom's four years at Cal, while two of the student-athletes he helped train were named Pac-12 Players of the Year, Jorge Gutierrez (2011-12) and Allen Crabbe (2012-13), both who went on to play in the NBA.
"The Cougars will love Scott," Montgomery said. "He's an excellent strength coach, relates really well to the kids, has a ton of enthusiasm, just wants to be a part of it and wants to win and do whatever he can to help. He's a great addition to the Cougar family."
Prior to joining the staff at California, Thom coached basketball and taught physical education for seven years at Vintage High School in Napa, Calif. In 2009, Thom was named Coach of the Year as he led the Crushers to their first playoff appearance in 10 years. He was intern at Cal's strength and conditioning department where he worked primarily with the men's basketball program before being hired full-time in 2010.
"I was extremely fortunate to step into an environment at Cal led by Coach Montgomery, where his staff and the players created an energy that inspired you to do your best job," Thom said. "After meeting Coach Kent and the basketball staff at Washington State, I knew right away that this was going to be a great situation too. I was so excited after we all met and they showed me the amazing facilities, that I had a hard time falling asleep that night. I can't wait to meet the players and start training. I think Pullman is a special place and the school is filled with faculty, staff and coaches that believe deeply that Washington State can be a powerhouse in the Pac-12. I just want to help anyway I can and be part of the movement."
Thom received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Chico State and teaching credentials in physical education from Sonoma State. Certified though both CSCS and USAW, Thom is currently working on his master's degree in coaching and athletic administration through Concordia University.
(via WSU Athletics Communcations)
This post was edited on 6/4 2:09 PM by Britton Ransford
