Rick Slate, who brings 30 years of strength and conditioning experience, enters his first season with the Silver and Black as a strength and conditioning assistant. He joins the Raiders after spending the previous 25 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Florida Marlins, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves.
Slate was most recently with the Braves organization from 2011-17 serving as the team’s director of strength and conditioning. Slate initially joined Atlanta in 2011 and served as the Braves’ minor league strength and conditioning coordinator before being promoted in 2012.
In Atlanta, Slate oversaw all aspects of the Braves’ strength and conditioning program throughout all levels of the organization. Under his program, the Braves reached the postseason in back-to-back seasons from 2012-13 and saw the team capture the NL East title in 2013.
Prior to joining Atlanta, Slate was with the Mets for eight seasons from 2003-10 as New York’s strength and conditioning coordinator. Slate helped the club win the NL East title in 2006, their first division crown since 1988, and went on to reach the League Championship Series.
Slate began his professional career with the Marlins in 1992, one year prior to their inaugural season, as the team’s minor league strength and conditioning coordinator. He was promoted in 1993 and served as Florida’s strength and conditioning coordinator for nine years. During his tenure with the Marlins, Slate helped them win the 1997 World Series, becoming the first wild card team ever to win the World Series.
Before entering professional baseball, Slate spent six years at Florida State as an assistant strength and conditioning coach from 1987-92. During his time at Florida State, he helped the football program record six consecutive seasons with 10 or more wins, while earning six bowl wins and one ACC championship. He also helped his collegiate teams make it to the Sweet 16 in basketball and the College World Series in baseball while at Florida State.
PERSONAL: Native of St. Augustine, Fla. ... Attended Florida State earning a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a master’s certificate in athletic administration ... Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach and Registered Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association ... Holds numerous other certifications ... Has two daughters, Layla and Jada.
