LA MIRADA --- The team of Biola Athletics has added more talent in the form of a Director of Sport Performance. Zach Anderson will be joining Biola on July 18 in his new role in La Mirada. Commonly known as Coach Z, Anderson will be making the move from McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois where he spent nearly two years as their Director of Athletic Performance.

"I am genuinely excited to get in the Sports Performance Center and get after it," said Anderson. "I am looking forward to help elevate these elite student-athletes to new heights in every area of their athletic careers and more importantly, for life."

During his time at McKendree, Anderson oversaw 38 varsity teams, which included over 950 student-athletes.  He implemented programs specific to each sport and each athlete to help them prepare for their individual seasons.  Coach Z was an active part of women's wrestling back-to-back national championships and women's soccer conference championship and regional berth.

"We look forward to adding Coach Z to our sport medicine staff as he serves our student-athletes in the Sport Performance Center," said John Wiese, the Director of Sports Medicine. "He will be a key figure in our mission to prevent injury before it occurs. He has a strong reputation for utilizing injury-prevention programming, specializing in corrective exercises to assist in rehabilitation post-injury, and challenging the student-athletes to continually grow in their faith. He will be a great asset to Biola Athletics and will revitalize the area of Sports Performance."

While with the Bearcats, Anderson put an emphasis on safety, working in conjunction with the athletic training staff. His work helped teams reduce soft tissue and major injuries by a considerable margin. 

Prior to hopping on at McKendree, Anderson spent two years in the southwest as the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Whittier College and RedLine Athletics in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Coach Z graduated from Northern Illinois University with bachelor's degrees in nutrition, health and human sciences and corporate communications, before obtaining a master's in coaching education and leadership at Ohio University.  During his undergrad years at NIU, Anderson competed on the wrestling and football teams. He would go on to the National Football League and spend time on the practice squad for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.

"I just want to say thank you to John Wiese, Dr. Bethany Miller, and the rest of the hiring committee that I spoke to during this process," added Anderson. "Thank you for believing in me, seeing the value and experience I bring to this Athletic Department and University, and giving me this opportunity to be part of the amazing things Christ is doing within Biola Athletics and the university community."

Anderson will assume the new role at Biola beginning July 18.