D1 Training Appoints Clif Marshall to Lead Pro Training Division, Expanding Elite Athlete Development

D1 Training has appointed Clif Marshall as Senior Director of Coaching and Pro Training, a strategic move that significantly enhances the fitness franchise's capabilities in professional athlete development. Marshall brings over 20 years of experience training elite collegiate and professional athletes, having coached at prestigious programs including Indiana University, University of Dayton, and the Cincinnati Bengals. His career achievements include training athletes who have secured contracts totaling more than $1.89 billion, working with MVPs, Defensive Players of the Year, All-Stars, and First-Round Draft Picks.

The appointment represents a substantial investment in D1 Training's Pro Training Program, which Marshall will spearhead from the company's headquarters in Franklin, Tenn. His focus will be on preparing collegiate athletes for the NFL and NBA combines, building on his decade of experience as Performance Director at Ignition Athletics in Cincinnati where he led their NFL Combine Training Program. Marshall's client roster includes notable athletes such as Kel'El Ware, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Luke Kuechly, AJ Green, and Devin McCourty, demonstrating his proven track record with high-profile talent across multiple sports leagues.

Will Bartholomew, Founder and CEO of D1 Training, emphasized that Marshall's training philosophy extends beyond physical performance to building athletes from the inside out. This holistic approach aligns with D1 Training's existing framework that utilizes five core tenets of athletic-based training: dynamic warm-up, performance, strength, core and conditioning, and cool down. The brand's growth trajectory supports this expansion, with more than 155 facilities currently operating nationwide and 34 new openings in 2025 alone, along with 38 new territories awarded year-to-date.

The timing of this appointment coincides with increasing demand in scholastic training, as the competitive youth sports landscape creates greater need for facilities where young athletes can develop their skills. Combined with D1's adult and personal training offerings available at D1 Training locations, the expansion of professional training creates a comprehensive athletic development ecosystem. All D1 locations offer three core training programs—Scholastic (Rookie, Developmental, Prep, and Overtime), Adult, and Pro—providing members access to both group training and one-on-one coaching with world-class trainers.

Marshall's leadership is expected to elevate D1's combine program and strengthen the brand's position as a premier training franchise, particularly as the company continues its aggressive expansion through innovative partnerships and a franchisee-first approach. The appointment signals D1 Training's commitment to redefining athletic development at every level, from youth athletes to seasoned professionals, while maintaining its foundation of training the whole body without fads or shortcuts.