Dec 12, 2019; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Steve Prohm watches his team play against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Hilton Coliseum. The Hawkeyes beat the Cyclones 84 to 68.Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletic Communications.
AMES, Iowa – David Land, the only men’s basketball strength coach in NCAA history to lead two different programs to undefeated conference seasons, has been named director of strength and conditioning for the Iowa State men’s basketball program, head coach Steve Prohm announced Friday. Land replaces Pete Link, who left to pursue other opportunities.
“I am really excited to have David back working with me,” Prohm said. “The opportunity to bring in someone that I have a previous relationship and familiarity with was important.
“David will be a great asset for our program in a variety of ways because of how much effort he invests in the student-athletes.”
Land, who spent two years as strength coach for Prohm at Murray State, joins Iowa State after spending the last two seasons under Mike Young at Virginia Tech (2019-20) and Wofford (2018-19).
“What an unbelievable opportunity to come to Iowa State and be a Cyclone,” Land said. “I simply couldn’t turn down the chance to reunite with Coach Prohm and join him in Ames.
“Coach Prohm and his staff place a heavy emphasis on player development and I’m ecstatic to have their support in my quest to change these student-athlete’s minds and bodies. From day one, our goal will be to prepare these Cyclones to win multiple games in March. I can’t wait to hit the ground running with these young men.”
Prior to joining Young in a rebuilding season in Blacksburg, Land played a major role in Wofford’s best season in program history. The Terriers had their first AP Top-25 ranking, a 20-game win streak, undefeated conference record (18-0) and the first NCAA Tournament win in school history.
Land trained Wofford sharpshooter Fletcher Magee, who set the NCAA Division I record with 509 career 3-pointers and earned All-America honors as a senior.
The Raleigh, North Carolina native was the Director of Olympic Strength and Conditioning at Utah State during the 2017-18 season. Land oversaw sports performance for non-football sports, being tasked with managing staff, budgeting and scheduling for all of the Olympic sports.
Land, who was at Murray State from 2013-17, spent the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons working with Prohm and the men’s basketball program. In addition to men’s hoops winning multiple conference titles, he also helped guide several other programs to Ohio Valley Championships, including women’s tennis (2014, 2015) and women’s golf (2015, 2017).
Land was significant in the development of point guard Cameron Payne, who was a lottery pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. The Racers were ranked during the 2014-15 season and had an NCAA-best 25 consecutive wins.
He has also worked at UNC Wilmington, East Tennessee State, Milligan College and NC State.
Land is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He is CPR/AED certified.
Land, who earned his Eagle Scout in 2007, is a 2011 graduate of Appalachian State with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a minor in nutrition. He earned a master’s degree in exercise physiology and performance from East Tennessee State in 2013.
