BYU’s Jay Omer to retire after 43-year career in athletics

PROVO, Utah — BYU strength and conditioning coach Jay Omer today announced he will retire at the conclusion of the 2014 season after a 43-year career that includes more than 30 years in college athletics at six different universities.

“I have so many thoughts and special memories of everywhere I’ve been and everyone I’ve worked with,” Omer said. “ I’ve been very, very lucky. I’ve been able to meet a lot of great people, both players and coaches. More than anyone really knows, BYU is a special place, and I feel fortunate to have been able to come back and finish my career at this university.”

Omer has served as BYU’s head strength & conditioning coach the past 14 seasons after previously working at Georgia Tech, Washington State, East Carolina, Tulane and Auburn. At BYU, Omer has implemented and directed all weight training and conditioning programs for Cougar football and also mentored strength and conditioning coaches working with the other sports at BYU.

“Weight training and conditioning is an integral part of a football program, and I want to express my gratitude to Jay for his dedicated service to our players over the years,” BYU head football coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “We still have some work ahead of us this season, but I’m happy for Jay and Vicki and wish them every happiness as they soon begin the next chapter in their lives.” 

Before coming to BYU following the 2000 season, Omer was the director of player development at Georgia Tech for eight seasons, where he was responsible for overseeing the strength and conditioning program for Tech’s 16-sport athletics program. The National Strength and Conditioning Association honored Omer in 1997 as the Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Omer joined the Yellow Jacket staff in January of 1993 after three years as the strength and conditioning coach at Washington State in Pullman, Washington. He previously served as director of strength and conditioning at East Carolina University from 1987-90 and as an assistant strength coach at Tulane University from 1985-87. He served as a graduate assistant at the National Strength Research Center at Auburn University from 1984-85, where he volunteered with the Tigers’ strength program.

Prior to his work experience at the college level, Omer started his career with coaching positions at Soda Springs Junior High (1972-74) and Soda Springs High School (1974-76) in Idaho, before serving as the head football coach and athletic director from 1976-84 at Union High School in the Duchesne School District in Roosevelt, Utah.

A native of Orem, Utah, Omer graduated from Orem High School in 1967 before attending Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, where he earned all-conference honors as an offensive lineman. Omer finished his undergraduate studies at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, graduating in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and history.

Focusing his career in the weight training and conditioning discipline, Omer obtained a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in exercise physiology and strength training at Auburn University in 1985 while at the National Strength Research Center.  

“I feel very grateful to everyone who provided me with the opportunities I’ve had over the years.” Omer said. “I learned so much from Dr. Mike Stone at the National Strength Research Center at Auburn and, of course, none of this would have been possible without my wife Vicki. Her love and support for me while taking on so much to raise our family made everything possible.”

Omer and his wife Vicki have two daughters, Nissa and Keely, and two sons, Joe and Travis. The Omers enjoy a family legacy of 10 grandchildren.

Omer will finish his outstanding career with BYU football’s trip to the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl in Miami on Dec. 22.  It will be the 16^th bowl game of his career.