Driven by Westside: Anthony Schlegel
Introduction
There’s an energy in Columbus that you can feel in the air—Ohio State is gearing up to face Notre Dame, and all eyes are on the Buckeyes. In the spirit of big-game excitement, we took a literal road trip with Coach Anthony Schlegel—a Buckeye legend, former NFL linebacker, seasoned strength coach, and an all-around force of positive intensity.
Below, you’ll find our latest “carcast” conversation in video form, plus a full breakdown of the topics covered. If you’re ready to get fired up about football culture, strength coaching insights, and the mindset that makes Ohio State a perennial powerhouse, this blog is for you.
The Louie Simmons Connection
If you spent any time with Louie Simmons, you know that a car ride with him was a crash course in lifting philosophy. No radio. No distractions. Just hours of conversation about technique, programming, and personal bests. When Louie traveled, he turned that windshield time into an extension of Westside Barbell—an environment to teach, mentor, and challenge.
Today, we carry on that tradition. Our “carcast” is a nod to Louie’s style: real discussions, minimal filters, maximum depth. It’s only fitting we began by discussing the importance of sharing knowledge one drive at a time.
Who Is Coach Anthony Schlegel?
- Buckeye for Life: Schlegel is an Ohio State linebacker alumnus who first played at the Air Force Academy before transferring to OSU under Coach Jim Tressel.
- NFL Experience: After college, he joined the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals, soaking up pro-level training and culture.
- Strength Coach & Innovator: Post-NFL, Schlegel returned to Ohio State as a coach under Urban Meyer, and later spent time as the head strength coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s also invented strength training equipment (like “The Difference”) and continues to refine how athletes approach the bar and the field.
The Buckeye Culture: “Brotherhood” Meets Blue-Collar Work
When Coach Schlegel describes what it means to be a Buckeye, he goes straight to a concept we hold dear at Westside Barbell: brotherhood born from hard work.
“You can’t teach toughness in November. It starts in January.”
— Coach Anthony Schlegel
Just as Louie Simmons demanded relentless effort year-round, so does Ohio State football. The team’s identity is forged in the offseason grind, honed in the weight room, and proven on game days. It’s about embracing the grueling process so that by the time the lights are on, you’ve already weathered the hardest storms.
The Schlegel Approach: Simple, but Elite
One of the key takeaways from our conversation is the power of simplicity. Basic programs, coached at the highest level, will outperform the most “complex” approaches run on autopilot. At Westside, we’ve long held that knowledge of the basics—Max Effort, Dynamic Effort, proper technique, and unwavering consistency—drives adaptation and results.
Coach Schlegel also highlights:
- Volume vs. Intensity: You can’t just max out players (or lifters) every single session, especially not during a long competitive season. Balance is crucial.
- Intent is King: Whether you’re performing a box squat or running a drill, the goal is to execute with speed, explosiveness, and intent. Data from velocity-based training can help, but it’s no substitute for a coach’s eye.
- Recovery Wins Championships: Much like Westside’s emphasis on restoration (hot/cold therapy, reverse hypers, and general physical preparedness), Schlegel stresses body tempering, massage, adequate sleep, and individualized routines to ensure athletes can handle high workloads.
Game Day & The Get-Back Coach
If you’ve ever watched the Ohio State sideline, you might have seen the “get-back coach” pulling excited players and staff off the field. Schlegel jokes that it’s one of the toughest gigs in football. But behind that sideline chaos lies a carefully orchestrated protocol—managing reps, measuring exertion, and ensuring everyone from the starting QB to the scout team corner is at peak readiness.
Practice & Preparation
- Tactical Rep Management: How many full-speed, live-contact reps do we really need to stay sharp? Where do we pull back to keep bodies fresh and healthy?
- Customized Routines: Each athlete has a personal “activation” plan before games. Some need heavier band work, others need a different warm-up tempo. Knowing what makes each player tick is the hallmark of great coaching.
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame: What’s at Stake
Both teams carry a legacy of excellence, but Coach Marcus Freeman (a former Buckeye himself) has revitalized Notre Dame in a way that mirrors Ohio State’s own DNA: strong defense, top-tier preparation, and a culture built on relationships. It promises to be a slugfest of two teams with similar mindsets.
At Westside, we see it as a classic collision: talent plus grit vs. talent plus grit. Expect each side to push the boundaries of their training, discipline, and game-day execution.
Why It Resonates with Westside Barbell
Just like the athletes on the field, lifters at Westside Barbell thrive under a system that demands dedication, fosters a team environment, and rewards consistency. As Coach Schlegel reminds us, when you invest relentlessly in the off-season, game day—or a meet day—becomes the culmination, not the crucible. You arrive ready, having already done the hardest work in the shadows.
Final Thoughts
From the weight room to the field, the guiding principle remains: You must outwork, outthink, and out-recover your competition. For Schlegel, that means blending old-school grit with modern insights. For Westside Barbell, it means honoring Louie Simmons’ legacy by constantly testing, learning, and evolving.
If you’re an Ohio State fan, a Notre Dame follower, or simply a student of strength training, we invite you to dive deeper into this “carcast” and absorb the nuggets of wisdom Coach Schlegel drops throughout. Whether you wear scarlet and gray or prefer Westside black and red, the lessons on culture, accountability, and passion are universal.
