Brian Gearity headshot

Brian Gearity

Professor & Dir MA Coach Sports Education; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, GSPP

What I do

I lead the Master of Arts in Sport Coaching program and the graduate certificate program in Strength, Conditioning, and Fitness Coaching.

Specialization(s)

sport, psychology, sociology

Professional Biography

Brian joined DU in September 2014 to create and launch the Master of Arts in Sport Coaching program. Known colloquially as Dr. G or Coach, since then, he has created and launched 24-credit Graduate Certificates in Strength and Conditioning (S&C) and Fitness Coaching, and 16-credit specialized graduate certificates in S&C and the Psychology of Coaching. Dr. Gearity also created and launched the Kinesiology and Sport Studies minor (in 2021) and major (in 2023) at DU. As a scholar, Dr. Gearity co-edited the book, “Coach Education and Development in Sport: Instructional Strategies” and co-authored, “Understanding Strength and Conditioning as Sport Coaching: Bridging the Biophysical, Pedagogical and Sociocultural Foundations of Practice.” He is Editor-in-Chief for the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s practitioner journal NSCA Coach and Associate Editor-in-Chief of Strength & Conditioning Journal. He serves on the editorial board of International Sport Coaching Journal, Sport Coaching Review, and Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise, and Health. Brian is also a former high school, collegiate, and professional strength and conditioning coach and has coached numerous youth sports, but most recently middle school tackle football. In 2023, Dr. Gearity was promoted to full Professor and named Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of GSPP, as well as became an alumnus of DU earning his MBA from Daniels College of Business.

Degree(s)

  • MBA, Executive Leadership, University of Denver, 2023
  • Ph.D., Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Tennessee, 2009
  • MS, Human Performance & Sport Studies, University of Tennessee, 2003
  • BA, Physical Education & Exercise Science, John Carroll University , 2001

Licensure / Accreditations

  • USA Track and Field Level III Certification Sprints
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified
  • Certified Athletic Trainer
  • USA Track and Field Level II Sprints, Hurdles, & Relays
  • USA Track and Field Level 1 Certification
  • Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
  • United States of American Weightlifting Club Coach Certified

Media Sources

Areas of Research

sport
psychology
sociology
kinesiology
strength and conditioning
coaching
qualitative research
philosophy of science
Foucault
social theory

Presentations

Gearity, B. (2019). 1. Theoretical lenses and conceptual bricks: Organizing and mobilizing critical sport coaching research in neoliberal times. 5th International Cluster for Research into Coaching (CRiC). Worcester, England: Cardiff U., U. of Worcester, Manchester Met U.
Gearity, B., & Maloney, S. (2018). Becoming a culturally competent coach. US Lacrosse - Western Regional Conference. Las Vegas, NV: US Lacrosse.
Kuklick, C. R., & Gearity, B. (2016). A foucauldian intervention implemented for strength and conditioning coaches. North American Society for the Sociology of Sport Conference. Tampa, FL: North American Society for the Sociology of Sport .
Kuklick, C. R., & Gearity, B. (2015). Reflective practice in a coach education practicum. National Commitee for Accreditation of Coaching Education. National Coaching Conference.
Gearity, B., & Henderson Metzger, L. (2017). Intersectionality, microaggressions, and microaffirmations: Towards a cultural praxis of sport coaching. Annual Meeting of the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport. Windsor, Canada: North American Society for the Sociology of Sport.

Awards

  • Fellow of the National Strength & Conditioning Association, National Strength & Conditioning Association