ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Lindenwood University Athletics Department has announced the hiring of Mark Dillon, who will be the new Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Performance. Dillon comes from the University of Washington where he was an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for two years and was responsible for all sport-specific athletic performance programming for Softball, Men's Rowing, and Track & Field (Throws).

"We are excited to welcome Mark back home to Lindenwood as our new Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Performance. Mark's breadth of experience, his outstanding reputation, respect he has earned throughout the industry, and the meaningful relationships he has built with student-athletes over the course of his career all set him apart." said Vice President For Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Coomer. "Athletic performance is a critical component of our overall success, and we are confident that Mark is the right person to lead that unit. We are excited to have him back in the Lindenwood family."

Prior to his role at Washington, Mark served as the Director of Athletic Performance at Claremore Public School District in Claremore, OK from May of 2023 until October of 2024 where he founded and led a district-wide athletic performance program serving grades 7-12. Dillon also had a two-year stint at Union R-XI School District in Union, Mo where he was the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator and developed foundational athletic performance programs to support long-term athlete development for grades 7-12.

"As a proud Lindenwood alum and former football student-athlete, I couldn't be more honored and grateful for the opportunity to return to the place that played such a significant role in my development." said Dillon. "To be back on campus and watch athletes train in the same facility I trained in as a student-athlete is truly a full-circle moment. It has been amazing to watch Lindenwood grow and evolve into what it is today."

He started his journey in Eugene, OR as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Oregon from 2005-2009 and became an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach in June of 2009 where he held that position for 10 years. During his time at Oregon, Dillon coordinated the department's Graduate Assistant and intern coaches' development program, and served as the Professional Development Coordinator by organizing and continuing education initiatives. He also assisted in oversight for all aspects of program design, implementation, and evaluation for Football, and was responsible for all aspects of program design, implementation, and evaluation for Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer, and Softball. Dillon also held Strength and Conditioning roles at the University of Arkansas and the United States Special Operations Command in Fort Campbell, KY after leaving the University of Oregon in 2019.

"I want to thank Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Jason Coomer, and Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator, Katie Zingg, for giving me the opportunity to return to my alma mater, utilize my previous experience as an Athletic Performance Coach in Division I athletics, and lead the Lindenwood Athletic Performance department while creating a culture that enhances the student-athlete experience."

Mark is a native of Warrensburg, Mo. and graduated from Lindenwood University with a B.A. in Exercise Science in 2003 before graduating from the University of Oregon with a M.S. in Education Administration and Leadership in 2009. He was a four-year letterman as a fullback on the football team at Lindenwood from 1998-2001, and earned all-conference honors in 2001 and 2002 as well as all-academic accolades. He was on the 1999 squad that made the program's first ever playoff appearance. 

"I am beyond excited to work with the administration, coaches, support staff, and the incredibly talented Athletic Performance staff at Lindenwood to elevate our performance standards and continue building a highly competitive, elite-level Division I training environment that ensures our student-athletes reach their full potential. I also want to thank former Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Performance, Michael Reese, for his 14.5 years of service to Lindenwood Athletics and for laying the incredible foundation that we will continue to build upon. It's a great day to be a Lion!"