Tag: Ken Mannie

Michigan State Football hires Jason Novak as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

Michigan State Football and Mel Tucker have hired Jason Novak as their new Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, replacing Ken Mannie.

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In the past 24 hours, Michigan State has hired a new defensive coordinator, director of player personnel, and finally a new head strength and conditioning coach in Jason Novak, effectively solidifying Mel Tucker’s staff for the 2020 Football season.

Novak spent last season at IMG Academy, based in Florida, serving as their head of physical conditioning. Novak started his career as a grad assistant for Baylor and Stephen F. Austin before joining Alabama State’s strength and conditioning program from 200-03. Novak had his first lead strength and conditioning role at Yale in 2003-04 before leaving for the NFL where he spent 11 years working as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Tennessee Titans between 2004-15.

Novak then made his way to the State of Michigan where he was the director of strength and conditioning at Central Michigan before heading to IMG Academy.

Novak will be replacing the long-time MSU Football strength and conditioning coach Ken Mannie who retired a few weeks back.

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Long-time MSU Football Strength and Conditioning Coach Ken Mannie retires

Long-time Michigan State Football Strength and Conditioning Coach Ken Mannie retired Thursday morning after 25 years.

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For the past 25 years, MSU Football’s weight room was led by one man: Ken Mannie. Early Thursday morning on Twitter, Mannie announced that he would be retiring from the position.

Here is Mannie’s announcement from Twitter:

“Spent the past several months informing family and close friends. Wanted to wait till things settled a bit on the current situation to make this public. So much gratitude to express over the ensuing months…but here’s a start. And players…let’s finish this week off strong!”

In the post, Mannie went into more detail on his decision:

“After 45 years in coaching, the last 25 spent here at Michigan State, I have decided to retire,” Mannie wrote. “It is a decision that my wife, Marianne, and I came to a little over a year ago. For the past several years, it has been ‘let’s go one more,’ as coaching, teaching, and mentoring have been my life’s passions. All of the mentors I truly respect and admire are coaches and teachers, and they inspired me to pursue this path – one that has blessed us with so many cherished moments and memories.”

The news comes just a day after Michigan State formally announced Mel Tucker as their new football head coach.

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