February 4, 2026
CLEVELAND STATE NAMES MIKE LINN AS HEAD OF SPORTS PERFORMANCE DEPARTMENT
Cleveland State is proud to announce the appointment of Mike Linn as the new Head of the Sports Performance Department. In this key role, Linn will oversee the strength and conditioning programs for all Cleveland State student-athletes, collaborating closely with coaches to enhance athletic preparation, reduce injury risk, and optimize on-field performance across all sports.
Linn brings a distinguished 25-plus-year career in athletic performance and strength and conditioning, highlighted by leadership roles in both collegiate and private sectors. Most recently, he served as Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Performance & Administration at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he led a team responsible for the comprehensive development of more than 600 Olympic-sport student-athletes. His department also included multiple assistant performance coaches and performance dietitians, ensuring an integrated approach to athlete preparation.
A 1993 UCLA graduate, Linn was a standout student-athlete, earning three varsity letters as a Division I football player and serving as a two-year starter on the offensive line. As a player, he earned honors in the weight room and competed at the highest levels of collegiate athletics.
Linn first joined UCLA's athletic performance staff in 1992 and later served as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach from 1999–2002 before taking on leadership roles in the private sector. He was Vice President of Performance at Velocity Sports Performance, where he helped build training systems used by more than 20,000 athletes and led professional development for over 700 coaches nationwide. During his tenure, he also collaborated on performance initiatives with major partners including Gatorade, Nike, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
His collegiate coaching resume also includes serving as Director of Strength and Conditioning at St. Louis University, where he oversaw performance programs for all Division I teams.
Linn is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Level I weightlifting coach, and a nationally recognized speaker. He has authored works on human performance and has been invited to share insights with aspiring athletes, coaches, and industry professionals.
"We are thrilled to welcome Mike to our athletics leadership team," said Cleveland State Athletic Director. "His proven expertise and vision for athlete development will have a lasting impact on our student-athletes' performance and well-being."
Linn and his family are active in the sporting community. He is married to former UCLA All-American gymnast Karen Nelson Linn, and together they have two children.
