Strength coaches have the unique opportunity to influence both the physical and mental development of student-athletes more than any other kind of coach. Carlo Alvarez, the head strength and conditioning coach at University School (Ohio), exemplifies this through his unique blend of professional experience, personal commitment, and holistic development. With over 28 years of experience, ranging from high school to professional sports, Coach Alvarez has reshaped how strength training contributes to the growth of high school athletes.
Carlo Alvarez’s Journey of Expertise and Commitment
Carlo Alvarez’s coaching journey began as a student assistant at the University of Cincinnati, working under esteemed Strength and Conditioning Coach Mickey Marotti. He spent an additional two years working as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Notre Dame before moving into the world of professional sports. Coach Alvarez’s professional path is one-of-a-kind, being the first Latin American Transition Coordinator for the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians). After heading performance with the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, Alvarez chose to return to the high school level to balance his developing family life.
“When you have a strength & conditioning coach that works within the school, understands the teachers, understands the curriculum, understands the demands that we put on these kids, they become very pragmatic,” says Coach Alvarez.
Alvarez has spent the last six years at University School, where his mission has stayed stringent on developing boys into successful leaders. He believes the weight room is more than just about creating physical strength, it’s about character development, discipline, and fostering a sense of community.
“It’s an opportunity for kids, that spend all day in school, to come in at the end of the day and try to improve their craft on the field through commitment, attitude, hard work, unity of purpose, to get better every day,” says Coach Alvarez. “So when we talk about the value of strength coaches, it’s extremely valuable, because most of the time we’re building the culture for the athletic department.”
The Evolution of High School Strength and Conditioning
Coach Alvarez has witnessed significant changes in the role of strength coaches at the high school level. In his view, making coaches even more critical in regards to shaping the values of young athletes. Coach Alvarez believes the weight room offers an unmatched opportunity for social and emotional learning, helping athletes not only achieve their goals in athletics but also build a foundation for success in life after high school.
“My day consists of helping our young men understand what it takes to achieve something,” Coach Alvarez says. “Whether it’s academically, which university school is a high academic institution, and we value that. But at the same time, It’s not an either or proposition. So having a high standard, working hard, and being successful on and off the field are some things we take great pride on.”
Building Trust and Success
At University School, Alvarez has contributed significantly to the school’s athletic culture, which is evidenced by their numerous state championships in swimming, diving, hockey, lacrosse, and other sports. He credits this success not just to the athletes but to the entire community.
“It takes all of all of us to be successful,” Carlo says. “As a strength and conditioning coach. I serve a small part in developing these young boys. And I know that I can’t do that alone. They have to be in the weight room at 6 AM. That’s a commitment by the parent to help them achieve their goals, and it helps our goals. I will take care of recovery, strength, injury prevention, data, whatever it might be. But at the end of the day, I’m supporting the school, the coaches, the parents, and the students. And I think when we all do that, we all feel like we are part of the success.”
This collaborative approach has fostered a strong culture, where the long-term development of student-athletes is prioritized. Alvarez emphasizes the “long game” in development, since students will go through over 400 workouts over their whole high school career.
“Some days are gonna be great, some days are not,” Alvarez says. “Some years are gonna be amazing. Other years, we might have a dip in talent. But at the end of the day the mission is, we take care of our boys, and by doing that you reinforce that this is a long game.”
Alvarez’s Training Methodology
Coach Alvarez’s training philosophy is rooted in progression and tailored to the needs of each athlete. He uses a block periodization approach where incoming freshmen focus on stability, mobility, and relative strength before progressing into advanced strength and power. His focus is on slow, steady growth, ensuring athletes build a solid foundation before advancing to more complex training methods.
“We monitor volume, we talk about workload, and we talk to the coaches about when and where we should sprinkle some training or some recovery or some resets,” Carlo says. “Where do we focus on hydration? I pressure tested a lot of things at the higher levels that I bring to this level that most people might not be comfortable with, but we know work. And that’s what I think sets us apart.”
Carlo uses lessons from his time in professional baseball, where maintaining strength during a demanding season was the norm. Alvarez mandates that in-season training remains a priority, which helps athletes stay strong and injury-free throughout the year.
Fostering Mental Resilience
While physical development is a core component of Coach Alvarez’s program, he places an equally strong emphasis on mental development. He believes that inclusion and trust are the keys to instilling resilience, confidence, and a growth mindset in his athletes.
“Inclusion means never saying no,” Alvarez says. “So, making sure that they have an open space. They have somewhere to come and hang out. They have somewhere to recover. They have somewhere to let loose. For us, it’s been having an open weight room for everybody. That’s the number one thing.”
By providing a supportive environment where athletes can fail and grow, Alvarez helps his athletes develop the mental fortitude needed to lead rewarding lives.
“If you can get kids to work hard and understand that we can do this together, I’m not gonna judge you, and I’m gonna meet you where you are, you build trust,” Coach Alvarez says. “That trust grows. And with that trust comes the ability to be able to push them harder than they’re used to.“
At University School, Coach Carlo Alvarez has created a program that not only builds stronger athletes but molds future leaders. His holistic approach, combining physical training with character development, leaves a lasting impact on the students there. Under his leadership, the weight room has become a place where young men learn the values of hard work, discipline, and community—lessons that will serve them well beyond their athletic careers.
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