Football

- Title:
- Assistant Football Sports Performance Coach
- Email:
- gooden@usc.edu
Zaviar Gooden was named an assistant strength and conditioning coach in January of 2021.Â
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Gooden, 30, was the head sports and fitness trainer at CRA-Z Sports Training in Dallas/Forth Worth (Tex.) for 2 years (2019-20).  He also spent part of 2018 and 2019 as a speed and performance coach at D1 Sports Training in Dallas/Fort Worth.Â
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He was a volunteer assistant strength and conditioning coach at SMU in the summer of 2018.Â
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He spent the spring of 2018 as a strength and conditioning intern at Notre Dame.Â
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He played linebacker for 5 years in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans (2013-15), Detroit Lions (2016) and Arizona Cardinals (2016-17). He was selected in the third round by the Titans in the 2013 NFL Draft.Â
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He was a linebacker at Missouri for 4 years (2009-12), being named team captain and Most Inspirational Player.Â
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He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Missouri in 2012.Â
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He holds a certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.Â
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He prepped at Pflugerville (Tex.) High, where he was on the football and track teams.Â
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He was born on Aug. 31, 1990.