PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State University Director of Athletics Kim Bownes announced the appointment of Kevin Briggs as the Panthers' new Director of Strength and Conditioning on Monday. Briggs, a Plymouth State alumnus, takes over for John "JT" Thomas, who retired in July after several years of service to PSU student-athletes.
 
A former U.S. Army Infantry Squad Leader and decorated strength and conditioning professional, Briggs brings a blend of tactical training expertise, collegiate coaching experience, and strong understanding of Plymouth State's athletic culture. Most recently, he spent two years under Thomas' direction as a Strength & Conditioning Coach Intern at PSU, designing and implementing sport-specific programs for 24 of Plymouth State's 25 NCAA Division III varsity programs with emphasis on performance, injury prevention, and athlete well-being.
 
"Kevin's leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to athlete development make him the perfect person to lead our strength and conditioning program," said Bownes. "He has already made a tremendous impact on our teams, and I'm excited to see how he will continue to elevate the performance and well-being of our student-athletes."
 
Briggs' exceptional leadership qualities were exemplified during his military service, where he earned the ACE Personal Trainer Certificate in 2023 and the U.S. Army Holistic Health and Fitness Integrator Certificate from the Master Fitness Trainer Academy in 2025. Briggs spearheaded a physical preparation program adopted by a company of over 80 soldiers, led and prepared an infantry squad to maintain mission readiness and achieve top physical performance, and managed millions of dollars in equipment with perfect accountability. His coaching philosophy blends discipline, data-driven programming, and individualized instruction – qualities that will continue to shape PSU's student-athlete development.
 
"I'm excited to return to the PSU Athletics team," said Briggs. "It's an honor to oversee a training environment where our athletes feel safe, challenged, and ready to compete. JT built a strong foundation and culture that I fully embrace, and now it's about raising the bar. Hard work and accountability will continue to be our cornerstones. Let's get to work!"
 
Briggs will lead training efforts inside PSU's Morgridge Strength & Performance Lab, a state-of-the-art 16,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2022. The $4 million renovation transformed the former field house into one of the premier collegiate strength and conditioning spaces in New England – featuring top-of-the-line sports performance flooring, modernized infrastructure, and elite equipment including 24 exercise platforms, cardio machines, dedicated free weight and plate-loaded equipment areas, and a 45-yard strip of artificial turf for speed training and rehab.
 
"With his combination of hands-on PSU experience, military discipline, and commitment to comprehensive athlete development, Kevin is poised to lead Plymouth State's strength and conditioning efforts into a new era," added Bownes.