WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
It is with great honor and pleasure to write on behalf of my friend and colleague, James DeVincenzi. This man is a true Coach; someone who genuinely cares about the success of the athlete far beyond athletics. And, a few of the thoughts that come to my mind when I think and ask myself, Who is a GREAT Coach!?Â
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I ask if I would want them training my own children? Would I seek them out for advice? Do I become a better Coach and a better person by merely thinking about this person? The answer to all of the above is YES! JD embodies everything a great Coach is. And, if you're a parent looking for a Coach and mentor for your kids, look no further because I can guarantee you that Coach JD will change their life beyond athletic success.Â
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If you're an adult looking to transform your own health and fitness, I would send you to Coach JD. Strength and Health are the greatest gifts because without our health, we have nothing. If you have the opportunity to be around Coach JD in any capacity, the best time to start would have been yesterday and the next best time to start is NOW.Â
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Zach Even - Esh, Owner Underground Strength Gym
Athlete/Coaches Stories
Roko Pozaric- 4x ACWPC All-American, Team Canada Water Polo
JD is an amazing coach and person, and a huge part of both our team’s success and my personal development as an athlete. What always stood out to me was how much effort he put into every player individually. He genuinely cared about helping each of us improve and reach our potential. I’m really grateful for everything he did for us. ​
Quincy Monday- NJTRC Athlete, 2026 Yasar Dogu International Champion, 3x NCAA All-American
It’s been a privilege to work with JD over the years! From my college athletic days to my professional sports tenure, he’s given me training programs and advice to help me compete at the highest level. With him, there’s no guesswork, and I just have to be consistent!
Scott Bandura- OF, Sacramento River CatsÂ
I had the privilege of having JD as my strength coach during my college baseball career. JD’s programming was my first introduction to consistent weight training and played an integral role in my development as a baseball player, allowing me to achieve and exceed my goals on the field. JD is extremely knowledgeable and able to create safe and productive plans for individuals of all ages across all sports. Over my time working with JD, he not only helped me make enormous strides from a strength, speed, and explosiveness standpoint, but also provided assistance with my diet and nutrition to supplement our work in the weight room. I am extremely appreciative of the role JD played in shaping my career, and I still carry what I learned from him in my pursuit of reaching the highest levels of Major League Baseball.Â
Matt Scannell- OF, Vancouver Canadians
Coming into college I was physically underdeveloped. JD’s program and leadership completely changed who I was as an athlete. During my 4 years with JD I became bigger, faster, and stronger every year. His help in my development played a massive role in getting me to professional baseball
Jerome Desrosiers- F, Team Canada 3x3, currently #1 ranked player nationally and 50th in the world
I can confidently say that I wouldn’t be both the player and person that I am today without the support of JD over these last few years. His combination of expertise in the weight room and ability to build genuine relationships with everyone he works with is special. Being strong on the court is what separates the good from the great, and JD helped me gain 20 pounds of muscle during my few years working with him. He’s truly one of the best in the business!
Matt "Mush" Allocco- G, San Diego Clippers, 2022, 2023, 2024 Ivy Champion. 8th player in NCAA History to shoot 50% from field, 40% from 3 and 90% from free throw
JD played a very significant role in my development as a basketball player. The summer going into my junior year, I worked with JD every morning on my strength and conditioning. That year I was an all-league player, our team won the league, and we went to the Sweet Sixteen in the March Madness Tournament, which to me was no coincidence. I came to campus as a skinny freshman and JD helped me realize my full potential during my career. I am eternally grateful to have had him as a coach, and now a friend.
Dustin Litvak- Head Men's Water Polo Coach, Princeton University
JD has been instrumental in the consistent success of our program since and well before my time here at Princeton. We have won 5 consecutive conference championships and 6 in the last 7 seasons and JD’s strength and conditioning program has been a vital part of our ability to compete at such a high level. He is knowledgeable, diligent, dedicated and has not only kept our athletes strong but also healthy at the same time so they can be at their best on the biggest stages.
Coach JD has been instrumental to our strength and conditioning program. His guidance has fostered elite development while ensuring our athletes remain healthy throughout the season, positioning them to compete for NCAA titles.
Chris Mongilia
Since working with JD, our athletes have become noticeably stronger, faster, and more explosive in the water.
He collaborates closely with our coaching staff and athletes to create individualized programs tailored to the specific demands of Division I water polo. Most importantly, his targeted approach and deep understanding of both the body and our sport have helped us significantly reduce injuries while improving overall performance.
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Derek Ellingson- Head Women's Water Polo Coach, Princeton University
JD puts his heart and soul into anything that he does. As a parent, as a professional, and as a person he will give you his very best which yields elite results. Anyone that is within JD’s orbit receives an immense amount of care and thoughtfulness and that is what separates him and makes him the best in the business.
Joe Dubuque- Head Wrestling Coach, Princeton University
Caden Pierce- F, Purdue Boilermakers, 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year, 2023, 2024 Ivy Champion
I can confidently say that I wouldn’t be both the player and person that I am today without the support of JD over these last few years. His combination of expertise in the weight room and ability to build genuine relationships with everyone he works with is special. Being strong on the court is what separates the good from the great, and JD helped me gain 20 pounds of muscle during my few years working with him. He’s truly one of the best in the business!
Xaivian Lee- G, 2x First Team All-Ivy, 2023, 2024 Ivy League Champion
JD was critical in my development as an athlete and person. Much of my later success in college can be attributed to the long summers I dedicated to the strength and mass-building programs he designed for me. The two summers following both my freshman and sophomore years I spent training one on one with JD every morning and the hard work most definitely paid off.
Sean Gray- Associate Head Coach, Stanford Wrestling
I’ve been coaching D1 college wrestling for over 20 years and have worked with dozens of strength coaches during that time. Coach JD is by far the best strength coach for wrestlers I have ever worked with. His knowledge and special ability to connect with his athletes is what easily sets him apart from the rest of the field.
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