There's a lot of moving parts when it comes to the inner-workings of a collegiate football team—from recruiting and managing an ever-changing roster, building a schedule, strength training and more, the grind never truly stops.
However, there's one particular function of Wyoming football that not only affects nearly every single part of the team, but is crucial towards the entire operation succeeding. That function is nutrition and dietetics.
Kevin Goff, Director of Performance Dietetics for Wyoming Football, and his team oversee everything that has to do with what the athletes are putting into their bodies, whether that be an offseason meal plan or a quick snack at a timeout during the midst of a game.
The 20-year United States Air Force veteran was quick to note that this offseason has been one of the most productive during his time at Wyoming, which began when he was hired in 2023.
"Honestly, this has been the best offseason since I've been here," Goff said. "The amount of muscle we gained in the winter, 500-plus pounds, have put the players in a really good position for the summer where we're not focusing on getting guys a ton stronger. They already did that in the winter.
"Now, we're peaking."
So, just how did one of the best offseasons Goff has ever seen during his tenure begin to transpire? It began the minute the Cowboys ended their season in late November last year.
Goff and his team's first priority when beginning to build out individualized offseason plans for each player—returning and new—is understanding the body composition of each of those players. Body composition tests reveal important information that Goff and his team use to tailor plans specific to each player, which includes body fat, lean mass, bone density and more.
Then, it's a lot of conversations between coaches, the strength staff and the players themselves to dial in the team's strength building.
"My role is to make sure it's safe, reasonable and achievable. I'm always going to be the scientific backstop," Goff said.
Goff's work doesn't stop after those plans are set into motion, either. Each week he makes new goals with the players, assuring their benchmarks are being met. Goff spends much of his day—upwards of 12 to 13 hours—around the program, seeing that each players' needs are met and their goals are being reached. While the dedication and effort required may be grueling, the results have reflected the work that has been put in.
"That's why we had so much lean mass gained during the winter, because we're doing it the right way," Goff said.
With most of the roster on track and meeting their goals, much of Goff's attention during fall camp and the start of the season turns towards fine-tuning each athlete.
"We don't have anybody a mile away from their goals. Everybody's in that five-pound range right now, which is a great place to be halfway through the summer," Goff said in early July.
The Cowboys' offensive line, which will be without decorated graduated seniors Caden Barnett and Jack Walsh anchoring the front lines, is one position group that has stood out to Goff this offseason. Meeting a threshold of around 28% body fat—the standard for NFL offensive lineman—is something the position group is eyeing to achieve before the season begins, and something they're well on their way towards achieving.
"The [offensive line] did so well, we're so close to all of their goal weights," Goff said. "Now, they stay at that weight, and continue to gain muscle and bring the body fat down so that they can move in this incredibly new, dynamic moving offense that we're about to go into."
Goff takes much pride in helping athletes reach their peak performance at one of the highest levels of college football. However, nothing matters more to him than simply educating the athletes on how to be healthy—beyond just their time competing for the Brown and Gold. How to cook, how to shop and building a healthy plate are just a few things that Goff wants athletes to take away from their time under his tutelage.
"I'm here to teach them anything they need to do, it's not just about athletic performance and development. There's life skills there," Goff said.
With an impassioned Goff spearheading the Cowboys' development, expectations are high for the team this fall as the Cowboys look to establish themselves amongst the top of the new-look Mountain West.
If Goff's benchmarks are any indication, then the Cowboys are primed to do just that.
"The collaboration between the strength team, the coaches, and myself has just hit its full stride this year. Everybody's on the same plate," Goff said. "We're all pushing in the same direction. We're all working towards the same goal.
"Everything is just coming together this year."
