Cheeky Mid Weeky
Cheeky Mid Weeky
Strength Coach Network
Stick to Your Guns: How Ash Samaniego Won a National Title Without Changing Who He Was
59 minutes Posted Apr 29, 2026 at 7:07 am.
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Ash Samaniego is the Director of Women’s Basketball Athletic Performance at UCLA Athletics, where he oversees strength and conditioning for one of the top programs in college basketball. Known for his high-energy coaching style and athlete-first approach, he plays a key role in preparing UCLA athletes for the demands of elite competition.

Prior to UCLA, Samaniego served as Director of Athletic Performance at CSUN Athletics, working with multiple sports including basketball, baseball, tennis, beach volleyball, and golf. He also has private sector coaching experience, working with a wide range of athletes and general population clients. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Samaniego holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in kinesiology from CSUN, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, and is a USA Weightlifting Level 1 coach.

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