Major League Performance Rehab Coach

Detroit Tigers, Inc.; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ilitch Companies seeks a Performance Rehab Coach based in Lakeland, FL, to lead the transition of injured players from clinical rehab to performance training across MLB and MiLB affiliates. You will design loading and return-to-competition programs bridging therapy and performance readiness.

Collaborating with PT, Rehab Coordinator, and Health & Performance staff, you will implement progressive protocols, track benchmarks, and ensure consistent rehab progressions while integrating movement and

Qualifications

• CSCS certification or equivalent strength and conditioning credentials.
• Excellent communication across medical, rehab and coaching staff.
• Spanish fluency preferred for team interaction.

Responsibilities

• Lead transition from clinical rehab to performance training at MLB level.
• Develop progressive loading bridging rehab to strength & conditioning.
• Design position-specific conditioning addressing baseball demands during rehab/return-to-play.
• Establish and track rehab exit benchmarks with PT & Rehab Coordinator.
• Use sport science data to guide rehab progressions and return-to-play decisions.
• Collaborate with Mental Health & Performance staff to support players.
• Provide regular status updates on return-to-play timelines.

Skills

CSCS certification

Communication skills

Spanish fluency

Education

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) / PT licensure

Bachelor’s degree in exercise science

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Title: ML Performance Rehab Coach Dept. Name & Dept. #: Health & Performance Reports To: Major League Head of Strength & Conditioning

Job Summary

The Performance Rehab Coach is the primary strength and conditioning presence for major league injured players moving through rehabilitation across the entire Detroit Tigers organization — from the Lakeland complex to the Major League clubhouse. This is a performance‑first role: you’ll design and deliver the physical preparation, loading, and return‑to‑competition programming that bridges clinical rehabilitation and full performance readiness, working in daily partnership with the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Coordinator, and Health & Performance staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the transition from clinical rehabilitation to performance training for injured players at the major league level.
• Develop and implement progressive loading protocols that bridge therapeutic exercise (prescribed by Athletic Training/PT staff) and individualized strength and conditioning training.
• Design and administer position‑specific conditioning programs that address baseball‑specific demands during the rehab and return‑to‑play process.
• Establish and track objective, criteria‑based exit benchmarks at each stage of a rehab progression — e.g., load symmetry, movement quality, velocity/output benchmarks, sport‑specific task completion — in partnership with the PT & Rehab Coordinator and Health & Performance staff.
• Utilize objective performance metrics and sports science data (workload, sprint speeds, velocity‑based training data, movement assessment) to guide rehabilitation progressions and inform return‑to‑play decisions.
• Collaborate with Mental Health & Performance staff to support players psychologically during extended recovery.
• Partner daily with the PT & Rehab Coordinator and Health & Performance staff to ensure rehab programming reflects each player’s current clinical status and restrictions.
• Provide regular status updates — including anticipated return‑to‑play timelines — on rehabbing players to the PT & Rehab Coordinator and relevant coaching/front‑office stakeholders.
• Maintain and refine standardized rehab strength & conditioning protocols and progression criteria applied consistently across MLB and MiLB affiliates; support and provide direction to affiliate‑level rehab strength & conditioning staff to ensure consistency.
• Stay current with advancements in rehabilitation science, strength and conditioning methodology, and sports technology; incorporate new techniques where appropriate.
• Document rehab programming decisions and progressions in a manner consistent with organizational data systems.
• Travel with the Major League club or between affiliate sites as needed, including evenings and weekends.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)/PT licensure.
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification with experience leading strength & conditioning programs at the professional or collegiate level.
• Bachelor’s degree in exercise science or a related field; master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Experience integrating rehabilitation into performance training and supporting injured athletes through recovery, ideally in a baseball or high‑level sport setting.
• Experience and knowledge of long‑term periodization models and program design.
• Working knowledge of movement assessment, linear/lateral movement skills, on‑floor/field coaching progressions, velocity‑based training technologies, and workload/performance data.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across Medical, Athletic Training, Rehab, Performance Science, Strength & Conditioning, and coaching staff.
• Spanish fluency preferred.

Working Conditions

Based in Lakeland, FL (TigerTown), with travel to the Major League club or affiliate sites as needed. Travel includes evenings and weekends.

Privacy Policy

Ilitch Companies and our colleagues are committed to being the best in all that we do - whether it's providing a delicious, quality meal from Little Caesars, delivering fresh food to our Little Caesars restaurants, baking quality food products at Champion Foods, supporting world‑class teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers or offering unforgettable live entertainment at top‑rated venues like Little Caesars Arena, the Fox Theatre, Pine Knob and other area locations. Formed in 1901, and a charter member of the American League, the Detroit Tigers have won four World Series and 11 American League Championships. Since being purchased by the Ilitch family in 1992, the club has made two World Series appearances, established record‑setting attendance, and played host to the 2005 Major League Baseball All‑Star Game. The Tigers have developed a young core of talent through the Major League Baseball Draft, intentional free agency, and player trades, while implementing a long‑term strategy focused on sustainable success. In 2022, Chris Ilitch, chairman and CEO of the Detroit Tigers, hired Scott Harris as the club’s President of Baseball Operations.

Detroit Tigers is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to that individual’s race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Company will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to permit qualified applicants who have a need for an accommodation to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a job interview) if so requested.