Rick Slate, who brings 33 years of strength and conditioning experience, enters his fourth season with the Silver and Black as a strength and conditioning assistant. He joined the Raiders after spending 25 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Florida Marlins, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves.

During his third season with the Raiders, Slate's guidance in the weight room helped the Raiders produce two Pro Bowlers in RB Josh Jacobs and TE Darren Waller, both earning the nod for the first time in their careers. Waller led the team in all major receiving categories, setting a new club record with 107 receptions and posting career highs in receiving yards (1,196) and touchdowns (nine), while Jacobs surpassed the 1,000-yard mark with 1,065 yards on the ground and set a career high with 12 touchdowns. 

Under Slate's training, QB Derek Carr put together one of his best seasons as a Raider. Carr set personal bests in passing yards (4,103), yards per attempt (7.9 avg.) and passer rating (101.4), while extending his streak of most seasons (three) in franchise history with at least 4,000 passing yards. 

In 2019, Slate continued to help implement the team's strength and conditioning program while working with multiple position groups throughout the roster. Slate saw T Trent Brown and C Rodney Hudson earn Pro Bowl honors, while G Richie incognito, FB Alec Ingold, Jacobs and Waller were named as alternates.

Slate helped guide the 2019 rookie class in their transition from college to the NFL, as Raiders rookies combined to lead the NFL in scrimmage touchdowns (17), sacks (14.5), yards after the catch (676), rushing yards (1,167), rushing touchdowns (seven) and rushing first downs (60) among their rookie peers. The Raiders rookies also ranked second in receptions (107) and receiving yards (1,112). 

In 2018, Slate worked with TE Jared Cook as he earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2018. Cook set career highs in receptions (68), receiving yards (896) and touchdowns (six) and tallied four 100-yard contests on the season. Slate also helped train Hudson and G/T Kelechi Osemele in 2018, who were named Pro Bowl alternates.

With Slate's guidance in the weight room, Carr started in all 16 contests for the third time in his career and finished the season with 4,049 yards on 381-of-553 passing (68.9 percent), 19 touchdowns against 10 interceptions for a passer rating of 93.9. In his fifth season in the league, Carr's completions, completion percentage, yards and yards per attempt (7.3 avg.) all marked then-career highs.

Prior to entering the NFL, Slate was 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.

From 2003-10, Slate was with the Mets for eight seasons 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 including CrossFit Level 1, SFG Kettlebell Instructor Level 1 and 2, USAW Club Coach Level 1, USTF Level 1, FMS Level 1 and CPR...A member of the 2019 NFL Combine and Senior Bowl staff as well as the 2020 NFL Combine staff...Earned the NSCA – Strength and Conditioning Coach and CSCS*E Award...Has two daughters, Layla and Jada.