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Evan Simon, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Evan Simon is in his second stint as Davidson's Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Simon was previously the head strength and conditioning coach with the Wildcats from 2004-2006.
"It is great to be back at Davidson College," Simon said. "My wife and I could always see ourselves returning to this great area. I look forward to working with our student athletes and helping them grow and develop through a collaborative training plan with all areas of this great department."
"We are thrilled to have Evan back in this key position on our staff," former Director of Athletics Jim Murphy said of Davidson's newest addition. "His familiarity with our operations and community will move him quickly along the learning curve."
Simon was most recently the head football strength and conditioning coach at Oregon State, where he served with the Beavers since January 2015. Prior to OSU, Simon spent two years as the head strength and conditioning coach at Wisconsin, helping the Badgers to New Year's Day appearances in both the Capital One and the Outback Bowl.
Before Madison, Simon was the director of strength and conditioning at Utah State from August 2009-January 2013, and before that, served as an associate director for the strength and conditioning program at Utah, where he was part of a staff that went 13-0, defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and finished the season with a No. 2 national ranking, all following the 2008 season.
A native of Lexington Park, Md., Simon is a 2002 graduate of Frostburg State (Md.) with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education, and earned his master's degree in 2004 from Kentucky in exercise physiology.
He and his wife Linda have two daughters, Abbi and Robyn.
Alex Shields, Director of Football Operations
Alex Shields was promoted to the program’s Director of Football Operations in March of 2023.
“We are so excited to promote Alex Shields to Director of Football Operations,” said Head Coach Scott Abell. “He has done a fantastic job helping the program grow as Football Development Coordinator these past three years.”
In his new role, Shields is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the football office, the coordination of team travel, assist with football camps and clinics and acts as a liaison to all college departments.
“I’ve been extraordinarily blessed to work for Coach Abell for the last three years and am extremely grateful to him for his belief and trust in me,” Shields commented. “I am incredibly excited to continue to serve the Davidson Football Program as the new Director of Football Operations.”
Shields joined the Davidson Athletic Fund in March of 2020 as the new coordinator for football development. His main responsibilities were fundraising and alumni engagement for the program and continuing the growth of the Davidson Gridiron Club.
Prior to coming to Davidson, Shields spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons as a student assistant for the football program under Abell’s leadership while at Washington and Lee. While an undergraduate at W&L, Shields assisted with scouting/analytics, recruiting and film for the Generals.
The Wyomissing, Pa. native then moved to the University of Pittsburgh where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance. While at Pitt, Shields worked with the Panther Club, Pitt’s athletic development arm, as a student intern. His main duties included developing donor relations, processing gifts and assisting donors.
Shields has also served as an associate consultant at Newry Corp. in Cleveland, working with Fortune 500 materials science and technology companies and advising high-level executives on corporate strategy and product innovation strategies.
Elizabeth Allred, Nutritionist
Elizabeth Allred has served as the sports dietitian for Davidson College Athletics since April 2012.
A sports dietitian and certified personal trainer, Allred brings a wealth of experience to Davidson, with 19 years as a registered dietitian. Allred is a University of Virginia graduate, and received her Master's of Public Health in Nutrition at the University of North Carolina.
Allred works collaboratively with coaches, athletic trainers, and strength & conditioning coaches to ensure Davidson athletes are healthy, safe, and are utilizing optimal nutrition to maximize performance.
Jaden Pask, Coordinator of Football Development
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Jaden Pask joined the Davidson football staff in the spring of 2023 after finishing his playing career with the Wildcats. He will serve as the Coordinator of Football Development.
Pask ended his four-year career with 160 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and three interceptions. He led the team in tackles his senior year with 68, was a four-year selection to the PFL Academic Honor Roll, and was an honorable mention selection on the Pioneer Football League's All-Conference list.
In the summer of 2022, Pask was selected to attend and participate in the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis which is an annual educational program that brings together 200 selected NCAA student-athletes to learn about and explore potential careers in sports, particularly college athletics. This unique three-day forum helps student-athletes chart their career paths. Participants network with and learn from current athletics professionals.