Northern Illinois University Athletics

Zach Cahill, who spent four years as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Northern Illinois University from 2013-2017, returned to NIU as associate athletic director for sports performance in February of 2019.

Cahill leads the sports performance efforts for all 17 Huskie athletic teams.

A native of Rolla, North Dakota, Cahill returned to DeKalb after spending the previous year and a half as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for North Dakota State. While in Fargo, he worked with the Bison’s National Championship-winning football team, nationally ranked wrestling squad and the throwers on the NDSU men’s and women’s track & field team.

During his previous stint with the Huskies, Cahill oversaw the training programs for NIU’s 13 Olympic sports, including the 2016 MAC West Division Champion Huskie softball team and assisted with strength and conditioning efforts of the 2014 MAC Champion and three-time MAC West Division Champion Huskie football team.

A National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Cahill began his career at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill. He is also certified by the American Red Cross in first aid and CPR.

Cahill earned his undergraduate degree in exercise science at Minnesota State Moorhead and was a four-year letterwinner at defensive end for the Dragons. He received his master’s degree in kinesiology from North Dakota where he was an assistant strength and coach for the Fighting Hawks from 2009-12.