KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan football team and head coach Lance Taylor have announced the hiring of André Bernardi to the position of Director of Strength and Conditioning.
 
Bernardi spent the last seven seasons at Furman in the same position, where he worked with the Paladins' football program and was responsible for the overall operations of the strength and conditioning program and oversight, implementation, and development of performance programming for 16 NCAA Division I programs. He also aided in fundraising and design for a $500,000 weight room renovation.

"I am excited to welcome André Bernardi and his family to Kalamazoo, and to Western Michigan Football as our new Head Strength and Conditioning Coach," said Taylor. "André brings a wealth of experience after spending the past seven seasons at Furman University, where he led performance programming for 16 NCAA Division I programs, including football. His leadership extends beyond the weight room, and I am confident his expertise, vision, and energy will make a significant impact on our program."
 
Prior to his time at Furman, he was the Director of Strength and Conditioning at North Greenville University, working will all 19 of the school's NCAA Division II programs. Bernardi is a NGU alum, playing football from 2006-09 where he was a three-time All-American. He set the Division II record for tackles for loss with 78 and was a four-time ICAA Team selection. 

"I'm blessed to join the Western Michigan University staff under Coach Taylor's leadership and bring his vision for strength and conditioning to life," said Bernardi. "We're very aligned in our approach and I'm excited to guide our athletes to their performance goals. Everything we do in the weight room is so we can go compete for championships!" 
 
He earned a bachelor's degree in sport management from NGU in 2010 and then completed his MBA from the school in 2012. Bernardi holds certifications with the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, United States Weightlifting and the National Association of Speed and Explosion.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT S&C COACH ANDRÉ BERNARDI
 
Clay Hendrix
Furman Head Football Coach, 2017-Present

"Andre did a terrific job for us and was a huge part of the success we have enjoyed.  Everything begins in the weight room and he will set a standard that everyone will be expected to pursue on a daily basis.  No one will out work him and he will bring great energy, enthusiasm, and leadership to every workout.  He and his wonderful family are a home run hire for Western Michigan."