Robert "Handy" Handerahan is in his 19th season at George Mason. He has served as the strength and conditioning coach for the men's basketball team, resulting in NCAA tournament appearances, the 2006 Final Four, NIT appearances and four CAA Players of the Year. Handerahan also works with other George Mason teams, designing training programs for student-athletes to prevent injury and enhance performance. A few of these athletes earned recognition as Olympians, National Champions, All-Americans and all-conference selections. He has lectured on training methodology to coaching delegations representing China, Russia, Venezuela, Libya, Egypt and Zimbabwe through the U.S. State Department Visitors Program.
Handerahan came to George Mason from the University of Illinois where he earned a Master's Degree in Kinesiology. During his time with the Illini, he worked with NFL draft picks, several All-Americans and Big Ten Players of the Year.
Prior to Illinois, Handerahan earned a Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Science from Bloomsburg University. He worked as the strength coach at Southern Columbia High School; the team won the 1994 state title in football. He worked with the Pennsylvania State Player of the Year and several All-State football selections. In April 2010, he was a team member inductee into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Romanoski Chapter.
Handerahan is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA and a Performance Enhancement Specialist through the NASM . He has completed the United States Weightlifting Federation Club Coach Certification program. He is also certified in Plant-Based Nutrition by the T. Colin Campbell Foundation.
Handerahan is a native of Atlas, Pa. He currently resides in Reston with his wife, the former Leigh Pierson, and their daughter, Ella.
