South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Feeling the ‘Love’ from strength program
Owls bulking up under conditioning coach
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic defensive lineman Kain Daub admits he had a sweet tooth.
Most of his meals, and especially snacks, involved something sugary. The unhealthy diet helped him balloon to nearly 300 pounds, but thanks to the Owls’ strength and conditioning program, he is back to a weight that could help him contribute this season.
Daub dropped 40 pounds in the offseason and is now a lean 249.
“Now, I cook at my house,” Daub said. “They showed me stuff that I can make, and what I can and can’t eat.”
Daub credits the tireless work of strength and conditioning coach Wilson Love, who has helped several FAU players improve their physiques. Whether it’s running back D’Anfernee McGriff losing 25 pounds or safety Zyon Gilbert bulking up, the Owls have felt Love’s impact.
Love helped Daub eliminate one of his biggest sugary foods: sports energy drinks. Daub said he was drinking at least “four or five a day.”
“Coach Love always stayed on me about my eating habits and extra work,” Daub said. “I ended up dropping it.”
Added coach Lane Kiffin: “When they get a year, especially guys that are bigger guys, they seem to change a lot under our weight program.”
Kiffin said the key to the success has been a constantly evolving strength and conditioning program. He sent Love to other campuses in the offseason to grab new ideas.
“We just don’t repeat the same thing because it’s working,” Kiffin said. “We’re always trying to grow. We sent Wilson to a number of top places this offseason to learn some different things, different ways people do things. I’m grateful of the places that let us in.”
The program has been extra beneficial to Daub, who began his college career at Florida State. After arriving with much fanfare, his first season was considered a bust because he had just three tackles. All of them came in games when the outcome was already decided.
Daub admitted he underestimated the competition, especially after being a high-profile high school recruit and playing in a Power Five conference.
“I was kind of nonchalant about things,” Daub said. “Instead of fighting adversity, I kind of just bought into it and never tried to change anything.”
Kiffin said it was yet another case of a big-time transfer thinking it would be easier at a smaller program. Last year, the Owls had several imports from larger schools who made minor impacts, including defensive end Tim Bonner, receiver DeAndre McNeal Owls linebacker Kain Daub dropped 40 pounds in the offseason and is now a lean 249. Daub credits strength and conditioning coach Wilson Love for dropping the weight.
and former receiver John Franklin III.
“A lot of times that first year, especially if they’re late and you don’t have them in the spring, a lot of them struggle,” Kiffin said. “Then all of a sudden, that light comes on for them on all fronts. It’s a big difference.”
Daub also credits defensive line coach Eric Matheis for the improvement. He said Matheis never lost confidence in him despite last year’s struggles.
“The coaches just pushed and put me in a really well situation,” Daub said. I’ve
just been trying to capitalize off it. [Matheis] just kept pushing and kept staying on me. I couldn’t do anything but try to change my attitude and my mindset.”