The Ravens are aiming to take player performance to a new level with the hiring of world-renowned health and performance coach Dr. Nic Gill.
Dr. Gill ("Gilly") steps into a newly created position as the vice president of health and performance, in which he will lead integrated efforts across the strength and conditioning, medical, nutrition, and sports science teams.
Widely regarded as one of the preeminent performance coaches, Gill has spent 18 years with the famous New Zealand All Blacks rugby team, most recently as head of health and performance.
During his tenure, the All Blacks had two Rugby World Cup victories (2011 and 2015) and more than 170 match wins, with a sustained winning percentage above .800 at the international level.
"As an expert in high performance, Gilly's ability to lead an integrated and collaborative staff and to develop strong lasting relationships with players makes him an ideal fit for this newly-created role," General Manager Eric DeCosta stated. "The health and performance of our players is paramount, and we are confident that Nic Gill positions us to be an industry standard organization moving forward."
DeCosta also thanked Ravens President Sashi Brown and Director of Learning & Development Steve Clagett Jr., specifically, for their assistance in the international search.
Dr. Gill holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology and is an Associate Professor in Human Performance at the University of Waikato (Hamilton, New Zealand), where he's led and supervised applied research in sports science and athlete development. Being a coach and academic positions him at the forefront of cutting-edge advancements in practical, high-impact athlete performance.
"I've been incredibly fortunate in my career, and I don't take a move like this lightly," Dr. Gill stated. "The Ravens felt right, straight away – the people, the standards and the way they care about their players. I'm excited to get to work, build real relationships and help guys stay healthy, available and playing their best football."
Dr. Gill is also a highly-regarded wellness and fitness consultant for corporate organizations. A sought-after speaker on topics that include high-performance culture, resilience, and health, his work has been profiled throughout international media, and he has been featured in numerous documentaries and series, such as "All or Nothing: New Zealand All Blacks."
"Coming from New Zealand to the NFL is a big move for my family and me, but it's one we're genuinely excited about," Dr. Gill stated. "The Ravens have a strong reputation for doing things the right way, and I'm grateful for the chance to bring my knowledge and experience here, learn from everyone around me and contribute to something special in Baltimore."
Dr. Gill will have a reunion just as the Ravens' regular season kicks off, as The All Blacks are scheduled to come to Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 12 as part of “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” against the Springboks.
