Each Monday of the fall semester, we’ll be bringing you three different “Getting to Know Them” profiles on coaches, athletic administrators and athletic trainers at Slippery Rock to introduce you to the folks behind the scenes here at The Rock. Next up, we check in with football offensive line coach Chris Conrad.

FAST FACTS
- Ninth year at Slippery Rock
- 1998 graduate of Fresno State University
- Third round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1998 NFL Draft
- Serves as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at SRU

QUICK BIO
Conrad is in his ninth season at Slippery Rock, where he serves as the offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and associate head coach. Since coming to The Rock, Conrad has mentored 15 different offensive linemen to All-PSAC honors and oversaw the development of five All-Americans, including two players that spent time with NFL teams. Conrad was a standout at Fresno State that was drafted with the 66th overall pick in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played in 17 games with the Steelers before a neck injury in 2000 ended his playing career. Conrad is a native of Brea, California and lives in Wexford with his wife and their two children. 

IN HIS WORDS
Q: What’s the first concert you went to? What’s the most recent concert you went to?
A: I did not attend many concerts growing up, so my first concert that I went to was in college for free on campus. It just happened to be the 69 Boyz & Run DMC and I was in the front row next to the speaker. The most recent concert I went to was Tenacious D down at Stage AE in Pittsburgh.

Q: What was your favorite subject in school? Why?
A: My favorite subject in school was history. Always love to hear about the past and be able to visit sites across the U.S. that I learned about in school.

Q: Tell us about your family.
A: My family is my everything. I do whatever it takes to make them happy and they do the same for me. They are always so excited for football season. My wife, Stephanie, and our kids, Michael and Joelle, love getting to know the players and watching them grow throughout their career. 

Q: What was your first job growing up? 
A: I got my first job in college, once we were able to have a job when the rules changed for NCAA athletes. I worked for a party supply store and Budweiser brewing plant. 

Q: When did you know you wanted to go into a career in collegiate athletics? 
A: Once my career ended in the NFL, I knew I wanted to coach and give back to future student-athletes. After coaching at the high school level and helping kids to earn athletic scholarships to play in college is when it clicked. 

Q: What was the last book you read? Thoughts on it? 
A: Anything by Stephen King. I always love anything he puts out.  

Q: What’s your all-time favorite movie? You can give us a few if you can’t pick just one.
A: Tough question for sure, so many good ones. I would say the one I have seen the most since it came out in 1984 would be Red Dawn. Can’t go wrong with The Green Mile, Patriot, Braveheart, and the list goes on.

Q: How do you relax? 
A: I have zero issues just staying home and getting things done. I am usually always busy doing something that needs to be taken care of, so if I get to just sit down and watch TV for a bit I am good. 

Q: What’s your favorite meal? 
A: I would say anything off of my grill or smoker. Can’t go wrong with a nice slab of ribs.

Q: What meal/dish/item are you best at cooking? 
A: I have become a pretty good cook over time. Top meals would have to be a decent variety of Mexican food and BBQ meats. 

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant? What do you order there?
A: I would say the place we usually go to once a week would be North Park Lounge (NPL). Top three orders I rotate through are the Chicken Parm Sandwich, Buffalo Chicken Flatbread, or the Chicken Salad.

Q: What was your first car? What’s your dream car? 
A: First car was a Chevy Work Truck. Can’t say I have a dream car, just need one I fit in and is comfortable. 

Q: What artists and/or songs on your current most-listened to playlist? 
A: Hard Rock-Heavy Metal is definitely the most played music that I am listening to.

Q: Favorite current TV show? Favorite TV show of all-time? 
A: I am a big game show guy so I usually watch any of them, or the game show network. 

Q: What’s the best advice you ever received and who did it come from? 
A: The one that has always stuck with me was a quote: “What doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger.” A coach had used this quote which I believe was from a German philosopher. I have always had to work hard to achieve my goals and just love to try and prove everyone wrong. 

Q: What’s your favorite season/type of weather? Why? 
A: I really enjoy Winter and cold weather. I know it is probably not the most popular answer, but I just love the change of season. 

Q: When you go grocery shopping, are you the “Make a List” person or the “Just Wing It” person? 
A: I wish we made a list sometimes, it would speed up our trips. We usually wing it and decide on things to make for the week while we are there. 

Q: What was your favorite or most memorable vacation?
A: Probably taking our kids down to Florida to go to Disney for the first time. 

Q: You could have dinner with three people living or dead, who would they be and why? 
A: Jackie Slater who was a Rams All Pro offensive tackle. I grew up watching him and loved the way he played the game. Maybe the others would be someone like Doc Holiday, Billy the Kid, or Wyatt Earp. Always love learning and watching Westerns since my grandfather would always have them on.

Q: Are you a tech savvy person? 
A: Yes. It is a blessing and a curse at the same time. 

Q: Describe your perfect day off. 
A: I would probably say not having my phone on me and hanging out with my family. 

Q: Who is your hero? 
A: My father is my hero. He has worked hard to give our family everything we ever needed.  He helps and takes care of anyone in need and had passed that trait on to me.  I would not be who I am today without him. And of course my mother!

Q: Can you sing? 
A: Nope not at all.

Q: You can only eat one thing the rest of your life, what is it? 
A: It would probably be Mexican food since I can switch it up for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Q: Fly or drive for a long trip? 
A: I am all about driving. Getting to see the sights, not having to deal with airports and cramped seating is a bonus. 

Q: How many and what kind of pets do you have? 
A: We just have a little dog named Tibby.

Q: Cats or dogs? 
A: Dogs 100%.

Q: Is a hot dog a sandwich? 
A: Not at all.

Q: Does pineapple belong on pizza? 
A: I don’t think it does, but it is not terrible.

Q: Sheetz or WaWa?
A: I guess I would be a Sheetz guy. Have had both traveling across the U.S. and prefer Sheetz. 

Q: What’s the last TV show you binged watched? 
A: Haha, well it was a Canadian sitcom called Schitt’s Creek.

Q: How long can you go without looking at your phone? 
A: At least a few hours when I plug it in and work around the house. The bad part is calling or texting everyone back being away from it. 

Q: What was the last app you downloaded on your phone? What is your most-used app? 
A: I made an ATS Screening app tab for work. Call of Duty Mobile is a good go-to during some downtime. 

Q: What’s one game show or reality show you could go on that you think you could win? 
A: Price is Right without blinking an eye. 

Q: Retirement destination?
A: I have retired twice and I am still in the same place. Don’t think I have a place or state I want to move to once I decide to retire once again.

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