Hardin-Simmons alumnus finds success on and off the field

(ABILENE, Texas)–With several successful athletic teams and outstanding sports medicine programs, Hardin-Simmons University prepares many graduates for the coaching and training fields. One such alumnus, Glenn Revell, used the tools provided to him by HSU to play professional football, coach football at the collegiate level, and develop a strength and conditioning program for East Central Independent School District in San Antonio.

Life at Hardin-Simmons

Football has always been an integral part of Revell’s life. During his years at HSU, he played under Coach Jimmie Keeling, who aided in the revival of Hardin Simmons’ football program years prior. Revell was a top performer for the Cowboys and was voted captain as an upperclassman.

Revell graduated from Hardin-Simmons in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports, Fitness, and Leisure Studies and later completed a Master of Education in Coaching, Sport, Recreation, and Fitness Administration from Angelo State University in 2016.

Changing Professions

Revell, number 71, poses with the rest of the Cowboys for a team picture in 2007.

In his professional life, Revell has excelled both on and off the football field. After earning his undergraduate degree, Revell signed to play in the Arena Football League (AFL), a professional indoor American football league with teams currently in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Ohio.

At the end of his professional football run, Revell advanced from working at an unpaid internship in 2014, to working as a full-time collegiate football coach while finishing up his final graduate-level classes.

“When I was just getting into coaching, I started as an unpaid intern strength and conditioning coach at San Angelo at 27,” explains Revell. “Before I’d even finished my graduate degree in two years, I was already an NCAA head strength and conditioning coach.”

Glenn Revell helps a player stretch on the sidelines.

Revell says that this impressive feat was not accomplished by him alone; two of his graduate professors from Angelo State University were also Hardin-Simmons alumni and were willing to help Revell achieve both finishing his degree and getting a head start on his coaching career.

Recently, Revell took on yet another impressive feat: building a strength and conditioning program for an entire school district from the ground up. In 2017, Revell accepted a position with East Central Independent School District in San Antonio as their districtwide strength and conditioning coach. “As a district, we have seen a 67% decrease in surgeries to students throughout the district,” since he started, he says. Revell’s position is unique, as he is the only full-time strength and conditioning coach in the area who does not coach or teach, as well.

A Busy Schedule

A typical day during football season for Revell begins with a 5:45 a.m. meeting with players and coaches. During the school day, Revell spends time at the schools in his district training and aiding the coaches on topics like proper form and injury prevention. After the school day ends, Revell attends practices or games to ensure that his players are safe. On evenings and weekends, Revell participates in activities with Leadership San Antonio (LSA), a yearlong collaborative leadership curriculum hosted by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Revell is the strength and conditioning coach at East Central Independent School District.

The program allows annual classes of 60 professionals from around the city to experience various aspects of San Antonio’s diverse economic and sociological atmospheres. The group tours locations and speaks with officials and experts in fields like economics, architecture, and sustainability to better understand the city and to form a group of influential leaders with connections in diverse career fields. Revell’s class began their LSA journey last fall and will graduate in two months.

The newest addition to Revell’s ever-growing schedule is HSU’s Board of Young Associates (BYA). The BYA consists of Hardin-Simmons Alumni under the age of 40 who are leaders in their professional fields and work on fundraising for and improving the university. The organization selected Revell as one of its newest members, and induction of new members was held earlier this summer.

For Revell, the BYA provides young alumni with “a way to dig into what Hardin-Simmons is known for and to share that with other people.”

“Being in the BYA has given me a chance to explore the rest of Hardin-Simmons and the things it has to offer,” he says.

Pay it Forward

Revell cohosts a podcast that discusses coaching, education, and leadership.

One of Revell’s favorite accomplishments is his podcast, The G Cast, that he records each Sunday, in which he discusses coaching, education, and leadership with the dean of Central Catholic High School in San Antonio. The podcast has “been a great way to make an impact on people you may not be near geographically,” says Revell. The G Cast is available here.

Throughout his work, Revell remains constant in his goal: “to influence people in a positive way.”

Revell says that he has received tremendous support throughout the years, and through his coaching, he aims to “pay forward all the people who have invested in me, at Hardin-Simmons, and in my career.”