Dennis Kerstetter was hired as Shippensburg University's head strength & conditioning coach on August 3, 2019.
Kerstetter is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Level-1 Sports Performance Coach (USAW-L1) and a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He arrives at Shippensburg after working the 2018-19 season at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He was the school’s first Sport Performance Coach, and worked hand-in-hand with the 27 athletic programs sponsored by the Monarchs.
Coach Kerstetter with his wife, Kaylin, and their sons, Jameson and Lucas (August 2021)
Among Kerstetter’s focuses at King’s included coaching student-athletes on proper technique, form and posture while also creating and establishing lifting routines. He focused on the technical application of weightlifting, powerlifting and plyometric techniques to aid resistance to injury and develop core-strength.
Prior to King’s, Kerstetter was an assistant football strength and conditioning coach at Temple in 2017 – assisting with conditioning and speed workout sessions with the Owls.
Kerstetter completed his graduate studies at Saint Francis. With the Red Flash, Kerstetter was the head of programming for tennis, golf, cross country, bowling, football and track and field. He also oversaw internship programs and work-study students, and aided with other sports such as basketball, softball, swimming, soccer and lacrosse.
Other experience includes a stint as a volunteer strength and conditioning coach at Ligonier Valley High School and time spent as a sports performance coach at the National Speed and Strength Academy in Irwin, Pennsylvania.
Kerstetter graduated from IUP in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science. He was a varsity football player with the Crimson Hawks who was a member of the 2012 PSAC Championship squad. Kerstetter earned his master’s degree in health science from Saint Francis in 2016. He holds a ranking as a USAPL National Qualifying powerlifter and qualifier for the USAW American Open and Nationals.
Kerstetter is married to his wife, Kaylin. The couple are the proud parents of their sons Jameson and Lucas.
