University of North Carolina Athletics
Erik Hernandez Elevated To Director Of Sports Performance For Olympic Sports
August 25, 2026 | General
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina Athletics has promoted Erik Hernandez to director of sports performance for Olympic sports, Director of athletics Steve Newmark announced on Tuesday. Hernandez, who most recently served as Associate Director of Sports Performance, will transition into his new role over the coming weeks.
"Erik has demonstrated the leadership, expertise and collaborative approach necessary to successfully lead our Olympic Sports Performance program," senior associate athletic director of student-athlete health, well-being & program outreach Dwight Hollier said. "His experience, institutional knowledge and commitment to excellence make him the right person to guide this department forward. I am confident he will continue to elevate the support we provide our student-athletes and coaches."
In his new position, Hernandez will oversee Carolina's Strength and Conditioning department with a primary focus on the Olympic sport programs. His extensive experience in staff supervision, technology evaluation, athlete monitoring, return-to-play collaboration, mental performance integration and professional development uniquely positions him to lead the department, while advancing UNC's broader sport science strategy.
Hernandez has been a member of the Carolina Athletics staff since 2010, when he joined the department as a strength and conditioning intern. He was later promoted to associate director of sports performance and has played an integral role in the development of Tar Heel student-athletes across multiple programs.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as director of sports performance for Olympic sports," Hernandez said. "Thank you to Steve Newmark and Dwight Hollier for their trust in me to lead this department, and to coach Greg Gatz and the many coaches and student-athletes who have supported me throughout my 15 years at Carolina. Most importantly, thank you to my wife, Jessie, and our kids, Lily and Elliot, for their constant support and sacrifice along the way. This is truly a dream come true, and I'm excited to build on the phenomenal foundation already in place and continue moving Carolina Sports Performance forward."
Before Carolina, Hernandez was a graduate assistant strength coach at the University of Tulsa, working primarily with football and basketball.
Hernandez interned at Arizona State University and Niles North High School, along with serving as a student intern at Loyola University (Chicago).
A 2010 graduate of Loyola, Hernandez competed in the shot put for the Ramblers' track and field team and still holds the school record in the event. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Loyola before receiving a master's degree in training and development from NCÂ State.
Hernandez is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and also holds a Level 3 Fitness Certification through the Titleist Performance Institute.
A native of West Chicago, Ill., Hernandez lives in Durham with his wife, Jessie and their two children, Lily and Elliott.
