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In Episode 242 of Muscles and Management, Gerry chats with Zack Zillner, Head Performance Coach for Texas Women's Basketball and former coach with the University of Kansas, University of Illinois, and the Chicago Bulls. Zack brings a no-BS approach to training—removing fluff, prioritizing foundational work, and building systems that actually serve athletes.

The two dive into Zack’s journey through high-level athletics, his evolution as a coach, and the lessons he's learned about doing less—but better. Topics include training simplicity, using data practically, developing athleticism without gimmicks, and the importance of trusting the process in both rehab and performance environments.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or just want to cut through the noise in strength and conditioning, this episode brings clarity, honesty, and real-world insight.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro to Zack Zillner and his coaching background

2:50 – From Chicago Bulls to Texas Women’s Basketball: Coaching evolution

6:30 – What Zack values most in a training program

9:10 – Overcomplication in S&C: Why simple wins

12:44 – How Zack structures his programs with intention and progression

17:20 – The role of data in performance coaching: real-world use vs. overkill

21:03 – Trends and gimmicks in strength and conditioning

25:12 – Using team sport principles to guide training for female athletes

29:38 – How Zack handles in-season vs. off-season work

32:45 – Recovery strategies and the value of sleep and nutrition

36:10 – Common rehab pitfalls and the athlete’s mental game

40:02 – Coaching takeaways and final thoughts on career growth and mentorship

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