Fred Murphy, two-time International League Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year (2016 and 2017), just completed his 10^th year in the strength and conditioning field and his 7^th in professional baseball. Fred is currently the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Detroit Tigers Triple A affiliate, Toledo MudHens. Prior to joining the Tigers in 2011, Fred completed an undergraduate internship as a strength and conditioning coach for Olympic Sports at Western Michigan University in 2008 and then as a graduate internship in strength and conditioning in football at Western Michigan University in 2010. He also worked for three years (2008- 2011) as a personal trainer/strength and conditioning coach at West Hills Athletic Club in Kalamazoo, MI and two years at MadVez Performance in Kalamazoo, MI as a strength and conditioning coach (2010 – 2012).

Fred joined the Tigers in 2011 and served as the AA strength and conditioning coach for the Erie Seawolves in Erie, PA from 2011 – 2014. In 2015, he was promoted to AAA where he has served for three years as the strength and conditioning coach for the Toledo MudHens.

A native of South Haven, MI Fred graduated from Fennville High School in 1999, where he earned letters in football, baseball, basketball and wrestling. Fred was named to the First Team All-Conference Football team and All-County Baseball team during his senior year in high school. After high school, he attended Michigan Technological University, where he was a member of the football team. He later transferred to Western Michigan University where he earned a BS in Exercise Science (2008) and MS in Exercise Physiology (2010)

Fred is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He also holds CPR/AED through the American Red Cross, is FMS Level 1 certified, and Level 1 Sports Performance Coach certified through the United State American Weightlifting (USAW).

Fred resides in Portage, MI during the off-season with his wife, Becky and two children, daughter Andie (2.5 years) and son Cayde (9 months). His hobbies include spending time with his family, visiting his and his wife’s childhood homes, almost anything history related, working with junior high and high school athletes, catching up with friends, and working out 5-6 days per week.

Fred believes that strength and conditioning coaches should provide training programs designed to improve athletic performance. Training should include a needs analysis, movement screen, injury prevention workouts infused with sports-related functional movements, and nutritional guidance.

Fred has four younger brothers, three of whom are triplets. He originally started out studying computer and electrical engineering in college, but his football strength and conditioning coach inspired him to change career paths. Sports are important in Fred’s family as his wife, Becky, played Division 1 softball for four years. Fred and his wife will be moving Dallas at the end of the year.