Christopher Puzzo has served as the first full-time Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore since June of 2026.
Puzzo oversees the strength and conditioning programs for the University's 15 varsity sports. He is a nationally certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with additional certification as a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach.
Puzzo came to UMES after spending the previous year as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. While at Westminster, Puzzo was instrumental in creating the institution's Sports Performance Department. He led strength and conditioning efforts for all 20 sports during his tenure with the Blue Jays.
Prior to Westminster, Puzzo spent two seasons as Assistant Strength Coach at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. While at Rutgers, he worked primarily with the men's and women's basketball programs, as well as the cheer and dance teams.
A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Puzzo graduated from Greater Lowell Technical High School in 2010. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Management from the University of Florida in Gainesville. During his graduate studies, Puzzo completed an internship with the Gators baseball program during his first year and worked with the men's and women's basketball programs during his second year.
In addition to his professional and academic experience, Puzzo has volunteered as a strength and conditioning coach at Harvard University and as an Olympic lifting coach.
