The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
04.13.2021 | Men's Basketball
John Reilly spent the previous five seasons at Texas Tech under Chris Beard.
AUSTIN, Texas — John Reilly has been named the Men's Basketball Strength and Conditioning coach at The University of Texas, Head Coach Chris Beard announced Tuesday. Reilly spent the previous five seasons working alongside Beard as the head strength and conditioning coach with the men's basketball program at Texas Tech.
"I'm excited and proud to have John Reilly and his family join us at Texas," Beard said. "Simply stated, John is the best. He is deservingly recognized at the top of his profession but is also so much more than our strength coach. John executes and defends our culture daily. He impacts winning. Our players will benefit most, because John teaches and produces through relationships. His individualized strength training and injury prevention methods are advanced thinking."
"John is a special person. Players come to Texas to be the best," Beard added. "John embraces and thrives on these expectations. Players love and respect him."
During Reilly's five years with Beard at Texas Tech, the Red Raiders posted five straight winning seasons and an overall record of 112-55 (.671), including an impressive 9-3 mark in NCAA Tournament contests. Prior to Beard's arrival, the program was coming off five losing seasons in the six previous years. Texas Tech advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history in 2018 and returned the following season with a trip to the 2019 National Championship Game, which included a school-best 31 victories. After the 2020 tournament was canceled due to COVID-19, the Red Raiders advanced to the 2021 NCAA Tournament Second Round.
"We're going to win in Austin, and I'm not afraid to say it," Reilly said. "Toughness will be the key. I've always been a believer that toughness comes down to discipline. Can you do the same things when you're exhausted, bored, or even sick? Toughness is consistency. The elite always find a way to get the job done."
"As the strength and conditioning coach for Texas Basketball, I'm going to defend our culture to the fullest," Reilly continued. "Anything less is a threat to our success. I love my job and know that I have the best job in the country! I work for the best coach in the entire country in Chris Beard. He believes in me, and I believe in him. I love that man. I'm so blessed to be here. Every day, I get to serve others, inspire and ultimately compete for championships. Hook 'em!"
Texas Tech registered a 74-13 mark in home games at the United Supermarkets Arena in this five-year stretch, including a 33-12 record in Big 12 contests. Keenan Evans (2018 consensus second team) and Jarrett Culver (2019 consensus second team) each earned All-America honors, and Texas Tech produced a total of 13 All-Big 12 selections and 21 Academic All-Big 12 honorees during the past five years.
Three Texas Tech players were selected in the NBA Draft under Reilly's watch. Zhaire Smith became the second NBA Draft first-round pick in program history, when he was selected No. 16 overall by the Phoenix Suns (traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on draft night). Jarrett Culver was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Jahmi'us Ramsey was selected No. 43 overall in the 2020 Draft by the Sacramento Kings.
Before his time in Lubbock, Reilly worked on the strength and conditioning staff for four years (2012-16) at North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. In his first season at North Carolina Central (2012-13), he supervised the Olympic sports program. Reilly then served as the department's head strength and conditioning coach for three years (2013-16).
Reilly helped the NCCU men's basketball team win the program's first Division I regular-season conference title and conference tournament title while advancing to the school's first NCAA Tournament during the 2013-14 season. The Eagles posted a 28-6 mark, setting a single-season Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) record for most victories, including a 15-1 record in league play.
Reilly spent one year (2011-12) on the Football strength and conditioning staff at The University of Texas, working under both Jeff Madden and Bennie Wylie. The Longhorns posted an 8-5 mark during the season, including a 21-10 win against California in the Holiday Bowl. He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant strength coach at his alma mater, Brigham Young University, and the University of Michigan in 2011 prior to joining the Texas staff.
Reilly was a track and field multi-event athlete at BYU, helping the Cougars win the Mountain West Conference Indoor Track & Field title in his junior season (2010). He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from BYU in 2011.
A native of Killeen, Texas, Reilly is a certified collegiate strength coach from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. He is certified in Applied Functional Science (CAFS). Reilly credits coaches Jeff Madden, George Smith, Bennie Wylie, Donnie Maib, Mike Favre, Bo Sandoval and Brandon Johnson for personal and professional mentorship and development in the field of strength and conditioning.
