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Rock Gullickson
Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
Eighth NFL season
Second season with Packers
Rock Gullickson, who joined the Packers in 2006, enters his 30th season as a coach, his eighth in the NFL.
Named to his position Jan. 19, 2006, by Head Coach Mike McCarthy, the 52-year-old Gullickson began his NFL tenure with the New Orleans Saints in 2000 following more than 20 years in the college ranks.
With a special training philosophy, Gullickson restructured the Packers' Lambeau Field weight room with help from strength and conditioning assistant Mark Lovat shortly after joining the team. The staff added the newest and finest free weight equipment and adjusted the layout of the conditioning area.
Gullickson entered 2007 with the task of increasing the strength of several of the Packers' young players who were not part of the team's detailed offseason program last year. The Packers started three rookies at various times on the offensive line, and throughout the offseason McCarthy stated one of the team's major goals was to be stronger up front.
Gullickson spent six seasons with New Orleans (2000-05) in his first tour of duty in the NFL. Consistently a behind-the-scenes factor in the Saints' success, he served as a top consultant in the planning and layout of the Saints' new weight room in 2003.
Widely respected in his field, Gullickson earned the 2000 President's Award, voted by his peers in the Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Society.
He made his last stop during an accomplished college coaching career at the University of Louisville (1989-99). Earlier, Gullickson served as the head strength and conditioning coach at the University of Texas, where he worked with several soon-to-be NFL players, including Ricky Williams, Priest Holmes and Casey Hampton, from 1993-97.
Before joining the Longhorns, Gullickson served in a similar capacity at Rutgers (1990-92) and Montana State (1982-89), where he became the first full-time strength and conditioning coach in the history of the Big Sky Conference. Gullickson remained at the school for eight years planning and designing Montana State's facility and assisting in the team's 1984 Division I-AA National Championship.
In 1981, Gullickson was named strength coach and weight training instructor at South Dakota State, where he received his master's degree. He previously spent two years (1979-80) at Mayville (N.D.) State, where he served as an assistant football coach, head track and field coach, and strength coach.
For one season following graduation, Gullickson remained at his alma mater, Moorhead (Minn.) State, as strength coach.
A 1978 graduate of Moorhead (Minn.) State, Gullickson was an Associated Press Division III All-American and an all-conference offensive guard for the Dragons. A three-year starter and senior captain, Gullickson discovered his future profession in his preparations as a college player.
Smaller than the average offensive lineman, Gullickson went to the local YMCA to work with weightlifters in order to increase his size. Seeing his results, Gullickson helped his teammates in a similar fashion and, in the process, launched his career in strength training. Originally intending to be a civil engineer, he changed his major and eventually earned his undergraduate degree in physical education.
Gullickson's father named him after Rocky Marciano, the heavyweight champion the year Gullickson was born. He went on to earn his own individual championship, earning the state of Montana's power lifting title four consecutive years (1983-86). In addition, he captured the Northwest U.S. Championship in 1985. Earlier, as a prep, Gullickson was a WCCO Radio all-state guard at Moorhead (Minn.) High School. He played in Metropolitan Stadium's first high school championship game, in 1972.
The owner of an Electra Glide Classic, Gullickson enjoys Harley Davidson motorcycles. By riding cross-country in 2000, he became a member of the Iron Butt Club, reaching the required 1,000 miles in less than 24 hours. Gullickson rode 1,030 miles in 18 hours from New Orleans to Tucumcari, N.M.
For more than 30 years, his father, Will, was a sports writer for the Fargo Forum and inspired Gullickson to be involved in sports and taught him to respect athletes. Growing up in the Packers' glory years, Gullickson was always a fan of the team and wore Ray Nitschke's number, 66, in high school. He wore Fuzzy Thurston's number, 63, in college.
Born in Moorhead, Minn., Gullickson and his wife of 28 years, Terry, live in Oneida, Wis.
GULLICKSON AT A GLANCE
- Joined Packers Jan. 19, 2006.
- Has 29 years of coaching experience.
- Earned the 2000 President's Award, by vote of his peers in the Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Society.
- A Division III All-American at Moorhead State (Minn.).
- Montana's power lifting champion from 1983-86, he captured the Northwest U.S. Championship in 1985.
- A Packers fan growing up, wore Ray Nitschke's number (66) in high school football and Fuzzy Thurston's (63) in college.
COACHING BACKGROUND:
| Year |
College/Pro Team |
Position Coached |
| 1978 |
Moorhead (Minn.) State |
Strength Coach |
| 1979-80 |
Mayville (N.D.) State |
Strength Coach/Asst. Football |
| 1981 |
South Dakota State |
Strength Coach & Weight Training Instructor |
| 1982-89 |
Montana State |
Strength & Conditioning |
| 1990-92 |
Rutgers University |
Strength & Conditioning |
| 1993-97 |
University of Texas |
Strength & Conditioning |
| 1998-99 |
University of Louisville |
Strength & Conditioning |
| 2000-05 |
New Orleans Saints |
Strength & Conditioning |
| 2006-07 |
Green Bay Packers |
Strength & Conditioning |
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