Todd Forcier was named Kentucky?s men?s basketball strength and conditioning coach Thursday, Head Coach Billy Gillispie announced.

“Kentucky is fortunate to be able to attract the very best, and Todd Forcier is one of the very best in the business. He’s proven it at the highest level,? said Gillispie. ?Todd has helped his players achieve a great deal while also making sure they are physically prepared for any professional opportunities they may have when they leave school. We’re excited to have him at UK.”

Forcier comes to UK after spending five seasons at Syracuse, where as assistant strength coach he worked with men?s and women?s basketball, men?s soccer, women?s rowing and women?s volleyball.

Prior to Syracuse, Forcier served as the basketball strength coach at Dayton for four years. He also spent a year (1997-98) as assistant strength coach at UNLV and three years (1993-96) as assistant strength coach with the NBA?s Seattle Supersonics.

?I?m excited for the opportunity to work for Coach Gillispie and such a storied program as Kentucky basketball,? said Forcier. ?I believe in what Coach Gillispie is doing here and what he can do with such unbelievable resources along with the fan support. I relish the opportunity to help the players participate in a championship environment and as well as prepare them for the next level of professional basketball.?

A native of Rainier, Washington, Forcier graduated from Washington State in 1999 with a degree in kinesiology.