Nick O’Brien joined the University of North Florida staff in August 2023. O’Brien is primarily responsible for the Ospreys Baseball, Beach Volleyball, and Women’s Soccer teams, in addition to assisting with the strength and conditioning department’s internship program.
O’Brien came to UNF by way of Jacksonville University where he served as the Assistant Director of Sports Performance/Director of Sports Science since 2021 working with the Men’s Lacrosse, Men’s Soccer, and Women’s Volleyball teams, in addition to overseeing the sports performance department’s internship program and sports science initiative.
Prior to relocating to Florida, he served as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach since 2016 working with the Baseball, Women’s Lacrosse, Wrestling, Volleyball and Softball teams, in addition to overseeing the professional internship program for the volunteer and graduate assistant coaches. Prior to Fresno State he was an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach from 2014-2016 at Loyola University Maryland working with Men’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, and Men’s Golf. Before Loyola, O’Brien spent two years as a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Salisbury University in charge of Men’s Lacrosse, Women’s Lacrosse, Football, and Baseball.
He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Salisbury University, as a volunteer assistant (2009-2012) in addition to completing internships at American University (2015), San Diego State University (2014), Loyola University Maryland (2013), and Georgetown University (2011).
A native of Oceanside, CA, O'Brien earned his Master's degree in Applied Health Physiology in 2014 and his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science in 2012 from Salisbury University. A member of the CSCCa and NSCA, he currently holds the SCCC, CSCS, FMS, USAW-L1 and USAPL-CC professional certifications.
In addition to his coaching experience, O'Brien is a national level strongman competitor and Highland games athlete. He is a committee member of the NSCA Strongman SIG, contributing author for Samson Equipment, and the Host of "The Strength Game" Podcast. O'Brien is also a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and currently resides in Jacksonville, FL.
