University of Memphis Athletics
Stark Named As New Strength Coach
Jun 28, 2000 | General
June 28, 2000
Memphis, TN - Mike Stark, who lettered for the Tigers for three years under former head coach Billy J. Murphy during the late 1960s and early 1970s, has returned to the University has the head strength and conditioning coach. Stark replaces Pat Meyer who left to join the staff at North Carolina State. A native Memphian, Stark comes to The U of M after serving as defensive coordinator and head strength coach at Cordova High School for the past two years. In addition, he worked as the head wrestling coach for the Wolfpack. Prior to joining the staff at Cordova High, Stark spent ten years as the defensive coordinator and strength coach at Bartlett High School in Memphis. During his tenure at Bartlett, the Panthers posted a 87-39 record, made seven appearances in the state playoffs and reached the quarterfinals four times. As the strength coach, his teams won eight City Weightlifting Championships and three Tennessee Weigthlifting Championships. Stark began his coaching and strength career at Trezevant High School in Memphis. From 1983-89 the Bears posted a 42-8 record, made the state playoffs three times and won a state championship. A 1972 graduate of The University of Memphis (then Memphis State University), Stark played football for the Tigers for four years serving as an offensive lineman. He was selected to the All-MVC Freshman Team in 1968 and received All-Missouri Valley Conference honors for the next three seasons. Stark received All-Midlands honors as a junior and senior and was named All-American by Associated Press, UPI and Kickoff Magazine as a senior. He received his masters degree in education from the U of M in 1982.
