Football
- Title:
- Associate AD, Director of Football Sport Performance
Mickey Marotti
Associate AD for Football Sports Performance
The Ohio State University
Mickey Marotti is in his 14th season as the associate athletic director for football sports performance at Ohio State and his 39th season overall as a coach. He is a person Ohio State head coaches trust in the critical area of strength and conditioning training and overseeing sports performance.
Marotti, called a “master” of motivation and mental preparation, is indeed that: he has been head sports performance coach for four teams that have won national championships in the sport of football: the 2024 and 2014 Ohio State Buckeyes and the 2006 and 2008 Florida Gators.
His work with the Buckeyes earned him American Football Monthly’s FBS Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year award in 2016.
During his time in Columbus, 39 Buckeyes have been named first-team All-American and Buckeyes have been named a major award winner in the Big Ten Conference 38 times and nationally nine times.
Marotti has helped 28 Buckeyes achieve first-round NFL Draft status:
The well-conditioned and mentally tough Ohio State Buckeyes have been one of the best teams in the nation over Marotti’s time with the program. The Ohio State Buckeye team’s 153-19 record from 2012-24 includes a school-record 24-game winning streak, only the sixth undefeated season in school history in 2012 (12-0), national championships in 2024 and 2014, Big Ten championships in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and 10 consecutive years of never worse-than-first status in the Big Ten Conference East Division.
Marotti spent seven seasons (1990-97) as head strength and conditioning coach for the University of Cincinnati, including all UC’s 20-sport programs.
Marotti was the Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of Notre Dame from 1998 – 2004.
Marotti served as Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of Florida from 2005-2011 where he was responsible for strength and conditioning programs for all of Florida’s intercollegiate sports. He also served as the director of the football athletic performance team.
Marotti’s talents helped Florida develop 22 All-Americans and eight first-round NFL draft choices during his seven years in Gainesville. And there is no disputing the team accomplishments the Gators achieved: two national championships, two Southeastern Conference championships and three 13-win seasons.
Unique in the fact he is one of approximately 100 strength trainers to hold a Master of Strength and Conditioning certification – the highest honor in his profession.
A native of Ambridge, Pa., Marotti was a four-year letterwinner as a fullback for West Liberty (W.Va.) University, serving as a team tri-captain in 1986 and winning first team NAIA All-Academic honors in 1987. He is a 1987 graduate of West Liberty with a degree in exercise physiology.
Marotti and his wife, the former Susan Laffey, have a son, Mitchell, and a daughter, Maddie Post (Jake Post son in law), all of whom are Ohio State graduates, and grandson, Henry Michael.
Mickey Marotti Quick Facts
Hometown: Ambridge, Pa.
High School: Ambridge
Alma Mater: West Liberty State, 1987
Master’s Degrees: Ohio State University, 1988; West Virginia, 1990
Year in Strength & Conditioning: 39th (14th year at Ohio State)
Wife: Susie
Children: Son, Mitchell, Daughter, Maddie Post (Jake Post son in law), and grandson Henry Michael
Mickey Marotti’s Coaching Experience
2012-pres. Asst. AD for FB Sports Performance ......... Ohio State
2005-11 Director of Strength and Conditioning............. Florida
1998-2005 Director of Strength and Conditioning..... Notre Dame
1990-98 Head Strength and Conditioning Coach....... Cincinnati
1989-90 Strength Assistant................................. West Virginia
1987-88 Graduate Assistant Strength Coach............. Ohio State
1987-88 Head Strength Coach.............. Grove City (Ohio) H.S.
Honors
USA Strength and Conditioning Caoches Hall of Fame; 2012
American Football Monthly’s FBS Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year; 2016
Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame; 2018
Western Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame; 2024
