Justin Lovett serves as the Director of Football Strength and Conditioning at WKU after coming to The Hill in January of 2014.
Under Lovett's direction, the Hilltoppers participate in a year-round regiment focused on the individual athlete, using a principle-based strength, speed, and conditioning performance enhancement model to improve mental discipline, physical toughness, and explosive football attributes. Lovett and his strength staff consistent seek to employ the latest in cutting edge technology and best common practices to reduce risk of on-the-field related injuries, including use of fully integrated corrective exercises, movement efficiency training, and functional kinematic program design.
Prior to coming to WKU, Lovett was a member of the Georgia Bulldog football strength and conditioning staff beginning in June of 2012. While in Athens, Lovett helped the Bulldogs to a 20-7 mark over two seasons including an appearance in the 2012 SEC Championship Game against Alabama, and to a pair of January bowl games against Nebraska (Capital One Bowl in 2013, and Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl in 2014). Fifteen Bulldogs were eventually drafted into the NFL from those squads, including a trio of first-round picks in Todd Gurley, Jarvis Jones, and Alec Ogletree.
During Lovett's two years as an assistant, plus one year serving a strength and conditioning internship for the Denver Broncos under Rich Tuten, eight members of the Broncos earned Pro Bowl selections including Brian Dawkins, Champ Bailey, Brandon Marshall, and Elvis Dumervil in 2010, Brandon Lloyd, Champ Bailey in 2011, and Willis McGahee, Ryan Clady, Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller, Champ Bailey, and Brian Dawkins in 2012. Denver also won the 2011 AFC West title and later beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime 29-23, in the 2011 Wild Card Playoff Game of the NFL Playoffs.
Lovett was also an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) from 2008-09 where he worked with the Miners' soccer and track and field teams, while also assisting with football and softball.
Lovett was a two-sport athlete in football and baseball at the University of Findlay (NAIA) from 1995-96, a semi-pro football player in the Colorado Football Conference from 2000-03, and a Colorado Golden Gloves amateur boxer in 2002. A native of Beavercreek, Ohio, he earned a bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Colorado State University, and a master's degree in Exercise Science (Athletic Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention) from California University of Pennsylvania.
Lovett also holds current certifications from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (Strength & Conditioning Coach Certified), National Strength and Conditioning Association (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist), National Academy of Sports Medicine (Performance Enhancement Specialist & Corrective Exercise Specialist), as well as from the National Association of Speed and Explosion (Specialist in Speed and Explosion).
Lovett and his wife, Amy, have two sons, Tillman and Lyndon.
