Lopez comes to Florida from the University of San Francisco
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Victor Lopez has been hired as strength and conditioning coordinator for the men’s basketball program, head coach Todd Golden announced on Wednesday. Lopez comes to Florida from the University of San Francisco, where he worked with the men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer and triathlon teams from 2019-21.
“Victor’s professional path and life experience have helped him become a great mentor and motivator for student-athletes,” Golden said. “He brings technical knowledge and understanding to the job, and he builds meaningful connections with student-athletes as he helps them pursue their potential.”
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to become a part of Gator Nation and continue working alongside Todd Golden,” Lopez said “The University of Florida obviously attracts elite student-athletes, and I can’t wait to get started with our men’s basketball team. The physical preparation of our student-athletes will emphasize a collaboration of the innovation and resources available at UF while instilling the pride, passion and teamwork that is in embedded and learned through a multi-faceted approach to strength and conditioning principles.”
Lopez first worked as a collegiate athletics strength coach as a volunteer with California State University, East Bay, assisting with men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and women’s soccer. Lopez then worked as a graduate assistant at Saint Mary’s from 2017-19, leading men’s and women’s tennis and women’s lacrosse while assisting with numerous other sports. He also spent time as interim head strength coach with the Saint Mary’s men’s basketball team.
Prior to his time in collegiate athletics, Lopez spent eight years working as a strength coach and fitness trainer. From 2004-08, Lopez served four years as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he commanded an elite team of Marines as a team leader in peacetime and in hostile environments.
Lopez earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from CSU East Bay in 2017 and his Master’s in Kinesiology from Saint Mary’s in 2019, where he graduated with honors. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Credentials
• NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction * (CSCS*D)
• United States of America Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach Level 1 (USAW)
• NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM PES)
• Functional Movement Specialist Level 1 (FMS)
• Master’s Degree, Kinesiology, Saint Mary’s
• Bachelor’s Degree, Kinesiology, CSU East Bay
