Chris Joyner joins Auburn as Strength and Conditioning Coach

George Nunnelley
AuburnTigers.com
 
AUBURN, Ala. – Chris Joyner has been named the Auburn strength and conditioning coach, head coach Butch Thompson announced Wednesday.

Joyner comes to The Plains with 16 years of experience in pro ball, most recently serving as the major league strength and conditioning coordinator for the Toronto Blue Jays from 2014-17. He also held the same position with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2007-10.

“We saw the hiring of a new strength and conditioning coach as an opportunity to go out and get the best, and that’s exactly what we think we have in Chris,” Thompson said. “I’m so thankful to our administration for backing the vision to surround our student-athletes with an amazing group of teachers.”

During his stints in Milwaukee and Toronto, Joyner worked with 18 all-stars who earned a total of 26 nods to the Midsummer Classic. Included in that group are seven Silver Slugger Award winners, two Hank Aaron Award winners, a Gold Glove Award winner, a National League Rookie of the Year, an American League MVP in former Auburn Tiger Josh Donaldson, and a National Baseball Hall of Famer in Trevor Hoffman.

Prior to accepting his position with the Brewers, Joyner was the minor league strength and conditioning coordinator with the Blue Jays from 2003-06 and worked with more than 150 of the organization’s major league and minor league players, including the late Roy Halladay, a two-time Cy Young Award winner.

“I want to thank Coach Thompson for the opportunity to become a part of the Auburn baseball program,” Joyner said. “I’m honored to be working with such a knowledgeable staff and accomplished players, and I look forward to building on the team’s momentum and success of the 2018 season.” 

Joyner broke into pro ball as a minor league strength and conditioning intern for the Blue Jays in 2002, working specifically with the Triple-A Syracuse SkyChiefs and Class A-Short Season Auburn Doubledays. 

After spending the summer as an intern, Joyner was promoted to the organization’s minor league strength and conditioning coordinator in December and held the position through the 2006 season. 

Joyner became the major league strength and conditioning specialist with the Brewers in December 2006 and played a role in the organization’s first postseason appearance in 26 years in 2008. 

After four seasons with the Brewers, Joyner rejoined the Blue Jays as an assistant minor league strength and conditioning coordinator from March 2011 until December 2013. He took over as the Blue Jays major league strength and conditioning coordinator in January 2014 and was a part of back-to-back American League Championship Series in 2015 and 2016. Toronto’s postseason appearance in 2015 was its first in 22 years.

“Potential student-athletes who come to the SEC have a dream of winning championships and playing the game past college,” Thompson added. “Chris has coached and trained the best in the world. He couldn’t have come more highly regarded, and his track record in developing baseball players speaks for itself. We’re excited to have him on board and are ready to get back to work.”

A native of Reddick, Fla., Joyner graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. He has been a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association since 2001 and joined the Professional Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society in 2003. 

Joyner is married to the former Heidi Gillam. The couple has two sons, Nolan and Grey, and a daughter, Leighton.

What they’re saying about Chris Joyner

Josh Donaldson
“Chris helped me accomplish several things. One, staying healthy, and two, developing a program that was essential to me becoming the MVP in 2015.”

Gabe Gross
“When Chris trained me in Milwaukee and Toronto, I always felt he had as much or more knowledge than anybody I ever worked with. He displayed professionalism at every turn.”

Trevor Hoffman
“It is with great confidence and pleasure that I give my personal support of my former strength and conditioning coach, (Chris Joyner). It isn’t solely because of his knowledge of developing personal and very specific programs for his guys. It’s his passion for seeing guys improve mentally and physically through the hard work they put in.”

Jose Bautista
“Having worked alongside Chris for four years in Toronto, I can say that the Tigers will be getting an outstanding strength coach, a great leader, and, more importantly, a quality person and citizen who will positively impact the community. I have no doubt that Chris will be a great addition to an already excellent university and baseball program, and I’m sure he will help them achieve their future goals. His skill set, knowledge and experience in his field of work are hard to match, and Auburn should be proud and excited to make him part of their family.”