Kevin “Coach D” Darlington is in his sixth year as the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Converse University where his goal is to work with the athletics staff of Converse to help develop Converse athletics into a top athletics program in Conference Carolinas and beyond by always believing that “the big time is right where you are."
In his fifth year as the head Strength and Conditioning coach, Darlington saw the volleyball team win their second straight Northwest Division Championship and the men's tennis team won their first division championship in program history. Individually, Grace Davis won the National Championship in the 60 meter dash event at the NCAA Indoor Nationals this season. Davis was a two-time All-American (60-meter, 100-meter Outdoor) and was named the Southeast Region Athlete of the Year. Dorian Bomar and Devron Davis were both two-time All-Americans this season and they helped their teammates on the 4x100 relay team to All-American status as well. Halle Aho finished second nationally in her equestrian event. Henry Stockton was named Men's Swimmer of the Year as the Men's Swim team finished runner-up at the Conference Carolinas Championships. Khushi Kharb was named Women's Tennis Player of the Year and Omarion Belton was named Conference Carolinas Indoor Field Athlete of the Year. Darlington, also had 28 athletes named National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-Americans.
In his fourth year as the head Strength and Conditioning coach, Darlington saw the volleyball team win the Conference Carolinas Northwest Division Championship and the Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship. The Volleyball team made their first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament during the 2024 season. The Men's Soccer team won the Conference Carolinas Northwest Division Championship for a second straight season and made a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Men's Indoor Track & Field team won the Conference Carolinas Championship, while the men's outdoor 4x100 relay team competed in the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. Catalina Pistaccio earned All-American honors for the third straight season and Mackenzie Day became the first Volleyball All-American in program history. The men's 4x100 relay team also earned All-America honors at the conclusion of the Outdoor National Championships. Darlington, also had 15 athletes named National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-Americans.
In his third year as the head Strength and Conditioning program, Coach Darlington saw both the men's soccer team and the women's basketball team win the Conference Carolinas Northwest Division Championships. On the Field Hockey pitch, Catalina Pistaccio earned All-American honors for the second straight season. The Acrobatics and Tumbling team reached the semi-finals round for the fourth consecutive season and won an individual event championship last season. Darlington, also had 11 athletes named National Stength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-Americans.
In his second year at the helm of the Valkyries Strength and Conditioning program, Coach Darlington saw the men's soccer team advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history and win both the regular season and conference tournament championship. On the Field Hockey pitch the Valkyries won the SAC Mountain Division Championship and repeated as the Conference Tournament Champions, the men's basketball team advanced to the conference tournament quarterfinals for the first time in program history, the Acrobatics and Tumbling Team won a pair of Event Conference Championships and the Women's Track & Field Team brought home a total of 9 Event Conference Championships this past season. Darlington, also had seven athletes named National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-Americans.
Coach Darlington’s first year saw the Acrobatics and Tumbling team advance to the NCATA Finals and the Field Hockey team win a regular season and conference tournament championship. In addition, Coach Darlington worked with Converse Deputy Athletic Director Randy Loggins to start the first ever Strength and Conditioning internship program at Converse University which has been fully active in 2022-23 year. Coach Darlington also received Support Staff of the Year honors from Converse University Athletics for his efforts in 2021-22 season.
Prior to Converse University, Coach Darlington spent 30 years as a coach at the high school level in South Carolina, leading strength and conditioning programs while also coaching several different sports, leading them to conference championships, state championship appearances and state championship titles.
As the head strength coach for Ridge View High School, Ridge View basketball won state championships in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Coach Darlington’s 2019 Ridge View High School strength team captured the State Strength Championship.
In 2012, Coach Darlington founded and developed his own training business, Speed 2 Compete Performance Training, where he prepares NFL, MLB and XFL draft prospects for pro days and combines, works with NFL, XFL, MLB and national team members from various sports along with other pro athletes for general prep and speed, and has worked with former youth and high school athletes who are now at D1 and D2 colleges throughout the country.
Coach Darlington was recognized South Carolina’s High School Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2011.
Coach Darlington is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), is certified through USA Weightlifting as a Level 2 Advanced Sports Performance Coach, and is a Certified Speed Specialist (CSS) through the National Association for Speed and Explosion.
Coach Darlington competed on the Track and Field team at Charleston Southern University before receiving his Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education from the University of South Carolina Upstate in 1991. He received his Master's of Education from Columbia College in 2010.
Coach Darlington is a native of South Carolina and resides in Lexington, SC with his wife Debbie. They have a son Seth who is in the doctoral program at the University of Mississippi.
