USF Athletics

Ed Sykes was named assistant strength and conditioning coach for South Florida football in January of 2026.

He came to Tampa after a season as assistant football strength and conditioning coach at Bowling Green (2025). Sykes assisted with all aspects of BGSU football’s strength and conditioning program and served as the head men’s soccer strength and conditioning coach.

Sykes came to BGSU after spending three years serving as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the University of Massachusetts’ football program (2022-24).
 
Before his time at UMass, Sykes spent time at Campbell University as a graduate assistant. He assisted with all aspects of the football and wrestling strength and conditioning programs. Sykes also served as an intern with The Ohio State University and at the University of Florida, working directly with football.

During the year he spent with the Gators, Sykes earned the title of head strength and conditioning intern, overseeing all day-to-day operations of the internship. The Gators were ranked as high as No. 3 in the Associated Press poll, finishing the year as the SEC East champions and facing Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. 
 
Sykes earned his bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania. At Lock Haven, he was involved with volunteering with the athletic department and was responsible for the strength and conditioning programs for the baseball and women’s volleyball teams alongside their respective head coaches.
He was born and raised in Chichester, Pa.