01/05/2026
Coach Drew "Butch" Buchkoski
MS, CSCS, PICP 5
Coach Buchkoski placed as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach in Sarasota, Florida – will direct and lead its NFL, MLB, NBA, Collegiate and High School Training Operations.
With a career spanning over 25 years in the Sports Performance & Strength and Conditioning Coaching industry, Buchkoski's experience includes various coaching stints. Affectionately knowns as ‘Coach Butch’ - he started as an assistant strength coach at Eastern Washington University ('98-'99) before working as a graduate assistant at Gonzaga University ('99-'00). He spent three years in a ‘Football Operations / Strength and Conditioning’ role with the Seattle Seahawks ('99-'01) under Head Coach Mike Holmgren. In 2002, Coach Butch followed the Sports Performance world to Scottsdale, Arizona – where he was mentored by renowned world-class strength coaches Chads Ikei, Charles Poliquin and Joe Kenn. Coach Butch served roles as both a graduate assistant, assistant strength and conditioning coach and was involved with an ownership performance training group at both C.O.R.E. Training Center, Ikei Performance Center and Arizona State University from 2002-06.
From 2007-2017, Coach Butch created APX Strength in Spokane, Washington. For 10 years, his Sports Performance and Strength and Conditioning model contributed to the implementation of optimal strength and conditioning protocols for over 58 high schools throughout the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Coach Butch also served as the Director of Pro Athlete Operations, in which he assisted, and lead NFL Pro-Day Combines at various PAC-12, Big Sky and Mountain West Conference colleges. Coach Butch was also installed by the Los Angeles-based agency juggernaut Creative Arts Agency (CAA) as the PNW’s main lead for serving as their preferred Human Performance Optimization provider under their NHL pro athlete faction of contracted pros and prospects. Coach Butch’s work under APX was recognized by media outlets, high school and college coaches, pro scouts, and pro agents in both the USA and Canada, as the premier strength and conditioning program in the Pacific Northwest.
Coach Butch has also served and contracted on numerous high school coaching staffs as their Head Strength and Conditioning Coach in both Washington State and Florida. Most notably Ferris High School (‘07-‘13), in which he directed the annual strength and conditioning platform for its elite football program. The Ferris Saxons benefited from Buchkoski’s program by minimizing soft tissue injuries and maximizing its strength benefits and lifting records throughout the year. The Saxons accrued more wins in the Washington State than any other football program during his tenure as the Strength and Conditioning lead as they secured a WIAA 4A Undefeated (14-0) State Championship in 2010.
Buchkoski also served on the strength and conditioning coaching staff at Florida State University ('18-'20) via Football, Women’s Soccer and Baseball programs. Coach Butch’s impact has extended beyond realms of the pro, collegiate and high school organizations. He has held strength and conditioning positions with the Department of Defense, serving as a Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coach at Moody Air Force Base ('20-'21) and Joint Base Lewis-McChord ('21-'22) working with Special Operation Detachments, Apache pilots, K-9 Units, and enlisted support personnel.
Coach Buchkoski holds a Master of Science (MS) degree with an emphasis in Strength and Conditioning via the Sport & Athletic Administration Department from Florida State University. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree (BA – Ed) in Education from Eastern Washington University. He is certified by reputable associations such as the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Additionally, he holds a Poliquin International Certification Program credential as a Poliquin International Master Strength Coach, making him 1-of-27 individuals worldwide with a Level 5 certification.
Throughout his career, Buchkoski's training protocols have resulted in impressive outcomes, including 342 athletes drafted into the NFL, NHL, NBA, WNBA and MLB. His passions extend to the placement of post-collegiate athletes into professional training camps, improving a high school athlete's baseline metrics, and spearheading Strength and Conditioning Certification Programs for High School Strength and Conditioning coaches, as well as strength and speed training professionals within the sports performance industry.
A native of Walla Walla, Washington, Buchkoski alludes to being a successful coach at various levels due to his upbringing by his father within the collegiate football environment throughout his youth. His father (Tom) was a coach at one of the most prolific JUCO programs in the country from the early 80s and into the 90s at Walla Walla Community College. Coach Butch is married and has two sons.
“I am honored to be acknowledged by D1 and Jeremy Milin to be placed into the position as their Head Strength and Conditioning Coach in Sarasota, Florida. I am excited to bring my expertise and passion for building ‘winning’ athlete cultures to a great team of professionals in Southwest Florida. D1 Sarasota will be the best place to train for all pro, collegiate, high school and youth athletes in all of Southwest Florida for years to come.”
– Coach Butch
