The University of Mary Marauders

Michael Silbernagel started the University of Mary Strength and Conditioning department from the ground up when he took the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach position in January of 2011. Since this time, the strength and conditioning department has grown to one full time assistant coach and two graduate assistant coaches for a total of four staff members.

Prior to the University of Mary, Silbernagel was an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Colorado State University from 2005-2010.  During this time, he was the primary strength and conditioning coach for Volleyball, which won four Mountain West Conference Titles (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010) and made the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2009, and Women’s Track and Field which won the 2006 Mountain West Conference Indoor Championship. During that span he was the primary strength and conditioning coach for Women’s Basketball, Swimming and Diving, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s Track and Field, and Water Polo while also assisting with Men’s Basketball.  From 2006-2010 as the Head Assistant for Football he was part of two bowl games (2005 Poinsettia Bowl/2008 New Mexico Bowl).

Silbernagel started his coaching career at the University of North Dakota as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach where he primarily oversaw programs for Track and Field, Cross Country, Swimming and Diving, Cheer and Dance, and Women’s Soccer while also assisting with Football, Men’s Hockey, and Women’s Basketball.

Silbernagel has personal experience as an athlete as well. A former collegiate football player at Valley City State University and as a competitive powerlifter where he won the 2010 USA Powerlifting Raw National Championship.  Currently he still competes in local/regional events that fundraise for children with disabilities.
Silbernagel has had research published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and has presented at numerous state and regional clinics on a variety of topics in strength and conditioning. He has also taken part in recent podcasts: Big Time Strength Podcast #14, Art of Coaching Podcast #18, Iron Game Chalk Talk #304, CVASPS – The podcast #230, Three Cycle Strength Podcast #21, Iron Game Chalk Talk 2.0 #2.31, and The Strength Game Podcast #35, The Strength Talk and Shop Podcast #102, and the Showtime Strength and Performance Podcast all of which can be found on most podcast streaming services.

Silbernagel also served as the National Strength and Conditioning Association State Director for ND from 2017-2022, bringing a state clinic back to the region.

Coach Silbernagel’s former staff members have also gone on to be successful coaches.
 

Former Staff Member	Current Position	School
Aaron Jung	Head Strength and Conditioning Coach	Morningside College
Cody Croasmun	Assistant Director of Sports Performance	Peak Force International Taiwan
Dan Lensby	Assistant Director of Athletic Performance	Illinois State University
Nolan LaValley	Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach	Sanford Power
Mariah Nimmo	Head Speed and Strength Coach	D1 Sports Performance
Kylie Katers	Coordinator of Strength and Performance for WBB/VB	University of Houston
Jensen McTavish  Jamal Jones	Strength and Conditioning Coach Assistant Director or Sports Performance	Kratos Performance and Fitness Marquette University

Former UMary Strength and Conditioning graduate assistant Kylie Katers received the 2019 Lance Vermeil Award at the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association National Convention, while former graduate assistant Aaron Jung was awarded the 2020 Gatorade Young Achievement Award at the 2021 National Conference.

In May of 2017, he was named a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, which is the highest honor in his profession.
 
Michael Silbernagel Quick Facts
Hometown: Napoleon, ND
Alma Mater: Valley City State, 2003
Master’s Degree: University of North Dakota, 2005
Year in Strength & Conditioning: 19th (12th year at University of Mary)
Wife: Jenny
Children: Hunter and Carter

Michael Silbernagel Experience

Year(s)	Position	School
2011-pres.	Head Strength and Conditioning Coach	University of Mary
2006-2010	Head Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach	Colorado State
2005-2006	Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach	Colorado State
2003-2005	Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach	University of North Dakota

 



 
Michael Silbernagel Certifications

	Certification	Certifying Organization
MSCC:	Master Strength and Conditioning Coach	Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association
SCCC:	Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified	Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association
CSCS:	Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach	National Strength and Conditioning Association
RSCC*D:	Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach with Distinction	National Strength and Conditioning Association
USAW 2:	Certified Club Coach and Sports Performance Coach	United States Weightlifting
FMS 2:	Level 2 Certified in the Functional Movement Systems	Functional Movement
RPR 1:	Completed Level 1 Certification Course	Reflexive Performance Reset
CSAC:	Certified Speed and Agility Coach	National Sports Performance Association
PN1:	Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certificate in Nutrition and Coaching	Precision Nutrition
SSC:   WSBB SS:	Speed Specialist Certification   Special Strengths Certified	USTFCCCA   Westside Barbell