Carlos Cottrell joined the University of Texas at El Paso in January 2025 as the Assistant Director of Speed, Strength, & Conditioning, bringing a wealth of expertise in collegiate strength and conditioning. Most recently, Cottrell served as a Football Sports Performance Coach at the University of Central Florida, where he played a key role in advancing athletes' physical development through cutting-edge training techniques. His responsibilities included designing return-to-play protocols, overseeing sports science technology, and spearheading speed development programs that empowered athletes to achieve peak performance.
Before his tenure at UCF, Cottrell made significant contributions as a Football Sports Performance Intern at Vanderbilt University, where he specialized in speed enhancement, injury rehabilitation, and leveraging innovative tools such as GPS tracking and force plate analysis for performance optimization. His career took off at Austin Peay State University, where he served as a Sports Performance Coach, enhancing the performance of football, baseball, softball, and track athletes. His efforts were integral to Austin Peay’s 2023 United Athletic Conference Championship, where he applied advanced training methodologies to improve athletic performance and minimize injury risk.
As a former collegiate football and basketball player, Cottrell brings a unique understanding of the demands of elite-level competition. A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), he is committed to staying at the forefront of training techniques, particularly in speed mechanics, athletic performance, and injury prevention. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Exercise Science at Concordia University Chicago to further deepen his knowledge and impact.
Originally from Windham, Connecticut, Cottrell is not only dedicated to his athletes' success but also to his family. He is a devoted husband to Ironeida and a proud father to their two daughters, Ayla and Alaia. His passion for coaching, mentorship, and personal growth drives his commitment to making a meaningful impact on both the athletes he works with and his community.
