(BCSNN) - TCU has added a major piece to its football infrastructure, announcing Sunday that Darl Bauer has been named the program’s Assistant Athletic Director for Football Human Performance.

Bauer arrives in Fort Worth with nearly two decades of experience across multiple major programs and a reputation as one of the profession’s most respected strength and conditioning leaders.

In his new role, Bauer will oversee a team dedicated to developing the Horned Frogs’ strength, conditioning, and speed programs.

Bauer spent the past two seasons at Troy (2024–25) working alongside head coach Gerard Parker. Before that, he served five years at Houston (2019–23), where he helped guide the Cougars to a 12‑win season in 2021 and saw 12 players selected in the NFL Draft during his tenure.

His longest stop came at West Virginia, where he spent 10 seasons (2009–18) under head coach Dana Holgorsen. Bauer was part of nine bowl appearances with the Mountaineers, including the 2012 Orange Bowl victory led by MVP Geno Smith. During his WVU tenure, 30 players were drafted into the NFL. Bauer began as a graduate assistant in 2009, earned a full‑time role in 2010, and was promoted to assistant director of strength and conditioning/director of applied performance in 2018.

Before WVU, Bauer interned at Eastern Michigan (2007), working with football, men’s basketball, women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball.

Bauer holds the prestigious Master Strength and Conditioning Coach certification from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association — the highest honor in the field.

A Hillsdale graduate with a bachelor’s degree in physical education (2008), Bauer later earned a master’s degree in athletic coaching education from West Virginia (2010). He and his wife, Carly, have two daughters, Gigi and Lula, and a son, Boone.