New Strength and Conditioning Coach: Mark Simoneau

Strength and Conditioning Coach Mark Simoneau was hired for the 2021-22 school year to assist East’s football team in adding heightened speed, muscle gain and agility to the team. 

The team has consistently struggled with implementing effective ways to grow in these areas, leading to the need for a new coach specializing in this area, according to senior football player Brian Heneger.

Simoneau spent four years at Kansas State University playing division one football and 10 years playing football in the NFL for four different teams. In 2011, after retiring from the NFL,  he opened up his first training facility for athletes of all ages and all sports. He ran the facility for seven years and eventually he decided he wanted to start working directly with high-school-level student athletes.

“I thought I could have a bigger impact with student athletes throughout the year,” Simoneau said. “Unlike in the private sector not having them for a full year.”

His first job directly helping a high school team was at Gardner Edgerton for three years. Until he decided it was time to move on and start something new.

His first connection to his new job at East was through Head Football Coach Justin Hoover through football. Simoneau also has two daughters that will eventually go to East and he wants to be able to create a connection with them through the school.

Simoneau will not only work with football players, but all athletes, as well as teaching a weights class. 

“I really want the opportunity to work with as many students who really want to get better, improve and are excited about that,” Simoneau said.

His process involves teaching an exercise movement in a way that the athlete can do it perfectly at slow speeds before attempting to do it at full speed or with weight.

“I think he does his job perfectly,” Heneger said. “He takes his time which makes him perfect for the job.” 

Heneger feels that having Coach Simoneau on staff will play a large roll in turning around East’s football team, along with every other sport at East.

Simoneau hopes to keep his position of Strength and Conditioning Coach for a long period of time as he described East as the perfect place for him being close to his family and where he grew up.