Four Rockets earned promotions while Brandon Palidar joined the department as assistant strength & conditioning coach.
Toledo Announces Updates to Strength and Conditioning Staff
8/21/2025 10:48:00 AM | Athletics
Four Rockets staff members earn promotions, Brandon Palidar joins as assistant strength & conditioning coach
TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Toledo Athletics has promoted four members of the strength & conditioning staff and hired one new coach prior to the start of the 2025-26 academic year.
Brad Bichey has been promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance and takes on a leadership role in the department while overseeing all football strength and conditioning. Bichey has been the Director of Strength & Conditioning for the football program since 2016. He has worked with 11 Rockets who have been selected in the NFL Draft. He received the Master's Strength and Conditioning Coach title from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA) in 2025. The Master's Strength & Conditioning Coach title, is the highest honor a strength and conditioning coach can achieve. Â It represents professionalism, knowledge, experience, and expertise in the field, often reflecting a coach's longevity and dedication.
Brandon Hannum has been promoted to Director of Sports Performance and will oversee all Olympic sports strength & conditioning. A former Rocket punter, Hannum is in his seventh year working with the Toledo strength & conditioning program, most recently as the Director of Strength & Conditioning.
Christian Klinec was promoted to Assistant Director of Football Strength & Conditioning. He had previously served as the Assistant Football Strength & Conditioning Coach since 2016.
Ben Wielogopolski has been promoted to a full-time member of the strength & conditioning staff, serving as Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach working primarily with Olympic sports. Wielogopolski joined the Rockets in 2023 as an intern before earning a part-time position with the football program.
Brandon Palidar will join the department as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, working primarily with football and women's rowing. Palidar comes to UT after spending a year at Bowling Green and working with their football program. Prior to Bowling Green, Palidar spent three years at Miami working with football, cross country and track & field.
"We are thrilled to share exciting updates regarding the personnel in our sports performance, strength and conditioning department," said Deputy Athletic Director/COO Nicole Harris. "Brad Bichey's promotion to lead the department is a testament to his exceptional leadership and the deep respect he's earned across the industry. His impact on the development and success of our football student-athletes has been nothing short of transformative. We're also thrilled to elevate Brandon, Christian and Ben, and to grow our department with the addition of Brandon. Our strength and conditioning team play a vital role in supporting our student-athletes' pursuit of excellence. These updates mark an exciting evolution that will further elevate our program."
Â
Brad Bichey has been promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance and takes on a leadership role in the department while overseeing all football strength and conditioning. Bichey has been the Director of Strength & Conditioning for the football program since 2016. He has worked with 11 Rockets who have been selected in the NFL Draft. He received the Master's Strength and Conditioning Coach title from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA) in 2025. The Master's Strength & Conditioning Coach title, is the highest honor a strength and conditioning coach can achieve. Â It represents professionalism, knowledge, experience, and expertise in the field, often reflecting a coach's longevity and dedication.
Brandon Hannum has been promoted to Director of Sports Performance and will oversee all Olympic sports strength & conditioning. A former Rocket punter, Hannum is in his seventh year working with the Toledo strength & conditioning program, most recently as the Director of Strength & Conditioning.
Christian Klinec was promoted to Assistant Director of Football Strength & Conditioning. He had previously served as the Assistant Football Strength & Conditioning Coach since 2016.
Ben Wielogopolski has been promoted to a full-time member of the strength & conditioning staff, serving as Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach working primarily with Olympic sports. Wielogopolski joined the Rockets in 2023 as an intern before earning a part-time position with the football program.
Brandon Palidar will join the department as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, working primarily with football and women's rowing. Palidar comes to UT after spending a year at Bowling Green and working with their football program. Prior to Bowling Green, Palidar spent three years at Miami working with football, cross country and track & field.
"We are thrilled to share exciting updates regarding the personnel in our sports performance, strength and conditioning department," said Deputy Athletic Director/COO Nicole Harris. "Brad Bichey's promotion to lead the department is a testament to his exceptional leadership and the deep respect he's earned across the industry. His impact on the development and success of our football student-athletes has been nothing short of transformative. We're also thrilled to elevate Brandon, Christian and Ben, and to grow our department with the addition of Brandon. Our strength and conditioning team play a vital role in supporting our student-athletes' pursuit of excellence. These updates mark an exciting evolution that will further elevate our program."
Â
Toledo Football - Press Conference - Week 13- 11/17/2025
Monday, November 17
Toledo Women's Basketball vs Detroit Mercy Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, November 16
Toledo Men's Basketball vs Detroit Mercy Press Conference
Sunday, November 16
Toledo Football vs. Miami - Game 10
Sunday, November 16
