Theren Uptigrow joins the Jackson State staff as the Director of Football Sports Performance for the 2026 season.
Uptigrow comes to Jackson State after serving last season as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Florida Atlantic where he designed and implemented strength, speed, and mobility programs tailored to quarterback performance and athletic output. He also collaborated with athletic trainers to create training plans emphasizing injury prevention. While serving in his role at FAU, Uptigrow took part in the NFL Fellows program with the Los Angeles Rams (July 2025-August 2025) where he supported daily training operations including data tracking, hydration management, warm-up facilitation, and post-practice recovery protocols; while also collaborating with the professional performance staff to implement evidence-based strength, speed, and recovery programs that enhanced athletic development and reduced injury risk.
Prior to him time at Florida Atlantic, he served as the Director of Olympic Sports Performance at South Carolina State (June 2023-December 2024) where he directed strength and conditioning for women’s volleyball, women’s basketball, women’s soccer, and developmental football. He also served in the role of Director of Strength and Conditoning at Allen (May 2022-May 2023), Battalion Lead Strength and Conditioning coach for Fort Bragg 2nd Brigade Combate Team (December 2021-May 2022), Director of Strength and Conditioning at Mississippi Valley State (August 2021-November 2021), Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach at Western Kentucky (June 2021-August 2021), and Strength and Conditioning intern at South Carolina State (October 2018-May 2020).
Uptigrow earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from South Carolina State, and earned his Master of Arts in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine.
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