Coaches

Malcolm Blacken enters his ninth year with Detroit and is the team's strength and conditioning coach. When joining the team in 2001, Blacken added to a resume that included similar stops at three colleges and his first NFL team, the Washington Redskins.Prior to arriving in Detroit, he spent five seasons (1996-2000) as strength and conditioning assistant with the Redskins.

Before his stint in Washington, he was a strength assistant coach for the University of Virginia's football program in 1995, and worked with all other sports in the Cavaliers' athletic department as well.For three years (1992-94), Blacken served as the head strength and conditioning coach for George Mason University, where his duties included overseeing the strength and conditioning programs for all of the university's varsity sports.

Blacken began his coaching career at the University of South Carolina in 1990-91 as the football program's assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Blacken graduated from Virginia Tech in 1989 with a bachelor's degrees in art and physical education. He was a Hokies' running back from 1984-88 and was a four-time letter winner. Twice, in 1987 and '88, he won the Super Iron Hokie Award that is given yearly to the football program's strongest player.

Blacken, and his wife, Marcy, have a daughter, Maya, and a son, Bo.

BLACKEN'S COACHING BACKGROUND

Detroit Lions 2001- present
• Strength and Conditioning 2001-present

Washington Redskins 1996-00
• Strength and Conditioning Assistant 1996-00

Virginia 1995
• Strength Assistant 1995

George Mason 1992-94
• Strength and Conditioning 1992-94

South Carolina 1990-91
• Assistant Strength and Conditioning 1990-91