Dakota Coon is in his sixth year and eighth overall as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Wildcat athletics in the 2026-27 school year. He was promoted in May, 2021 to leader of the Wayne State strength/conditioning department after serving two years as a coaching assistant. He oversees all aspects of training for all 15 Wildcat sports.
A native of North Platte, Coon came to Wayne State after serving as a graduate assistant strength coach at Northwest Missouri State where he assisted in all aspects of football training. Coon also served as head strength coach for women's soccer and men's and women's track and field at NMSU and oversaw student personal trainers at the campus recreation center.
Coon attended Concordia University in Seward where he played football and worked as an undergraduate intern strength coach for two years. He received his bachelor's degree in fitness studies and coaching in the fall of 2016.
Other experience Coon has achieved includes working as a volunteer strength coach for three months with Vanderbilt University football.
Coon was selected as a featured speaker at the 2026 Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association Conference in Fort Worth, Texas in May, 2026 where he made a presentation on practical concurrent and undulating training considerations.
Coon obtained his master's degree from Northwest Missouri State in May, 2019 in applied health and sports science. He is strength and conditioning coach certified from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association and is First Aid and CPR certified from the American Red Cross.
Dakota and his wife Rebecca reside in Wayne.
updated 8/15/26
