Chris Doyle

Chris Doyle is in his 22nd year as strength and conditioning coach for the University of Iowa football program.

As the head of Iowa’s strength and conditioning program, Doyle has helped the Hawkeye program participate in 17 bowl games since 2001, including 11 January bowl games. Iowa has recorded January bowl wins over Florida (2004 Outback), Louisiana State (2005 Capital One), South Carolina (2009 Outback), Georgia Tech (2010 Orange), and Mississippi State (2019 Outback).

Iowa has won 47 games over the past five seasons, the highest total in school history over any five-year period, and a total that ranks ninth nationally. Iowa won its final four games of the season and ranked 15th in the nation in the final Associated Press and coaches polls.

The Hawkeyes concluded the 2019 campaign with a 10-3 record following a 49-24 win over No. 22 Southern California in the Holiday Bowl. The three losses were all to ranked opponents by a combined 14 points. The Hawkeyes were 4-1 in trophy games for the third straight season. Iowa has won three straight postseason games and 12 straight nonconference games.

Iowa completed the 2018 season with a 9-4 mark and a final ranking of 25th in the Associated Press national rankings. The Hawkeyes earned a 27-22 Outback Bowl win over No. 18 Mississippi State to close the season with three straight wins. The four losses came by a total of 23 points and all were decided in the final minutes of play. Iowa tied for second in the Big Ten West Division.

The Hawkeyes posted a perfect 12-0 regular season record in 2015, winning the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. Iowa participated in the 2016 Rose Bowl Game and the 2015 Big Ten Championship and ended the season in the top 10 in the final national rankings.

Along with winning its most recent three bowl games, Iowa also participated in the 2017 Outback Bowl, 2016 Rose Bowl Game, 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl and 2014 Outback Bowl. The Hawkeyes have ranked in the final top 10 of both major polls five times in the past 18 seasons.

Iowa has won 151 games over the past 18 seasons, including 90 Big Ten games. Along with the 2015 division title, the Hawkeyes earned a share of the Big Ten title in both 2002 and 2004 and tied for second in 2009. Iowa has finished in the Big Ten’s first division in 17 of the past 19 years.

Doyle is a certified strength and conditioning specialist with the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCCa).  Doyle was elected to serve as a member of the CSCCa Board of Directors at the organization’s 16th annual national conference in 2016, and in 2018 re-elected for an additional three-year term.

Doyle was presented with the certification of Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the CSCCa in 2012. The certification is considered the highest honor that can be achieved in the coaching profession of Strength and Conditioning, and represents professionalism, knowledge, experience, expertise and longevity in the field.

He served as director of strength and conditioning for the University of Utah in 1998. Under Doyle’s direction the Utah basketball team played in the national championship game.

Doyle was assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Wisconsin from 1996-98. He oversaw the training programs for football and hockey teams during this time. The Badger football team participated in two bowl games (Copper and Outback) and the hockey team won the WCHA championship during his tenure.

As a strength and conditioning professional, Doyle has tutored 210 student-athletes who have advanced to the professional ranks in the NFL, NHL and NBA. Iowa has had a total of 55 players selected in the past 15 NFL drafts.

Overall, 64 Iowa players have been drafted in the past 17 years, with nine first round selections and 14 players being selected among the top 50 picks. In addition, 76 additional Hawkeye players signed free agent contracts in the past 14 years and five former walk-ons have been selected in the NFL Draft.

Doyle has mentored more than 80 former interns and assistants who have advanced in the field of Strength and Conditioning, with 35 becoming head strength and conditioning coaches.

Doyle served as offensive line coach at Holy Cross from 1992-95. He also worked as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame in 1991 and Syracuse in 1990. Notre Dame won the 1992 Sugar Bowl following the 1991 season and Syracuse won the 1990 Aloha Bowl.

Doyle was a three-year starter on the offensive line at Boston University from 1986-88. He served as a student assistant for the football program there in 1989.

Doyle earned his B.S. in human movement from Boston University in 1990 and his M.Ed. in education from Boston University in 1991.

Doyle was born June 30, 1968. Chris is from Quincy, Massachusetts, and attended Boston College High School. He was inducted into the Boston College High School Hall of Fame in 2004. Chris and his wife, Tia, have three sons, Declan, Donovan and Dillon. Declan is an offensive assistant coach with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. Donovan attends Harvard University, where he was a member of the wrestling team and will earn his degree in May. Dillon is a sophomore member of the Hawkeye football program.

Strength and Conditioning Mission Statement
The University of Iowa Football Program is committed to providing the ultimate training experience for each student-athlete.  Our focus is to build the total athlete while reducing the risk of injury through individual evaluation and program design.  Developing strong relationships with each athlete is a fundamental building block essential to the success of Iowa Football.

Doyle’s Coaching Career
School – Position, Years
Iowa – Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, 1999-present
Utah – Director of Strength & Conditioning, 1998
Wisconsin – Assistant Strength Coach, 1996-97
Holy Cross – Graduate Assistant,1991
Syracuse – Graduate Assistant, 1990