This year, de Toledo welcomed a new strength and conditioning coach, and he’s already making a big impact on athletes and coaches.
Coach Kohn brings a serious attitude, strong background, and a clear vision for what the school’s athletic program can and will become.
Athletic Director David Avila said, “[de Toledo] interviewed a lot of coaches with impressive resumes, but Coach Kohn stood out.”
“[Kohn] had experience at both the high school and college level, and more importantly, he took initiative. At his last school, Crossroads [highschool], he started their strength program from nothing. That showed us a lot.”
Coach Kohn has worked at places like the University of Washington, Cal State Northridge, and most recently Crossroads, his style is intense, but focused, and his training goes beyond just lifting weights.
Avila explained, “Strength and conditioning has two sides, one is getting faster and stronger, the other is preventing injuries.”
“Everything [Coach Kohn] does is designed to help athletes stay healthy and perform their best.”
For student-athletes, the difference is already being felt. Varsity basketball player dTHS, Beckett F. (‘28) said the workouts are tough, but the results are worth it.
“Before Coach Kohn, I didn’t really train my legs that much,” Beckett F. said, “now I understand how important they are, especially for basketball.”
“My ankles and knees used to feel weak, but the workouts we do have made them stronger.”
A typical training session with Coach Kohn starts with core work, then moves into weightlifting.
Varsity basketball player Justin G (28) said, “The atmosphere of the gym is what stands out most about Coach Kohn.”
“The team’s energy is great,” Beckett F. (‘28) said. “We push each other, and it builds chemistry. Everyone wants to get better.”
Coach Kohn also works closely with other coaches to create workouts that fit each sport. He listens to what each team needs and builds programs around those goals.
His short term goal is to introduce athletes to a culture of hard work, accountability, and commitment. In the long term, he hopes to grow the program to include all student-athletes at de Toledo.
“It’s a learning year,” said Avila. “But he’s going to be a big part of changing the athletic culture here. We’re lucky to have him.”
