About | Speed Merchant

Introducing Sam Conner Speed Consultant

Conner is a recognized and established professional who has positively impacted the development of numerous collegiate and professional athletes.

At Vicksburg High School (Vicksburg, MS), he was an All-American in the 440-yard dash (48.0) and was a member of the Mile Relay team that shattered the state record by 3 seconds. During his senior year under the tutelage of legendary football and track Coach Cardell Jones, his speed increased from 4.7 to 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash within a 3-month period. His quarter mile time dropped 6 full seconds over the course of the track season, also.

At Mississippi State University, his personal best in the 400-meter dash was 46.2 in his sophomore year. He also played wide receiver and kick returner on the football team. His fastest collegiate 40-yard dash was 4.35 on grass. After college, he clocked several 4.2′s in the 40.

As a professional, Conner played with the New Jersey Generals, San Antonio Gunslingers and the Houston Gamblers of the now defunct United States Football League(USFL). He was brought into training camp as a free agent without a contract until he ran consecutive 4.3′s on grass.

In June of 1989 at the age of thirty-two Conner was invited to work out for the Houston Oilers. WR Coach Ray Sherman (Dallas Cowboys) was so impressed with his precise pass routes, speed, hands and knowledge of the Run and Shoot offense that he called over Coach Kevin Gilbride to observe. Coach Sherman then insisted Conner must have played during the 1988 season rather than the USFL’s last season of 1985. Conner requested to be timed in the 40 yard dash and Coach Sherman refused because he said he could see that he could ” fly”. Head Coach Jerry Glanville met with Conner after the workout and told him he hadn’t ever seen anyone thirty-two years old run that fast and to stay ready because thay may sign him to a contract at anytime.

Before and during his professional football career, Conner was sought by collegiate and professional athletes to train with him, discuss running techniques and training philosophies. Sports agents continue to send their clients to him to assess their talent, improve their physical condition, develop their speed and improve their football skills. To see a list of Sam’s clients click here.

Sam Conner’s Professional Experience

1973 – Present	Speed Merchant		Owner/Athletic Consultant
	Speed, strength and conditioning coach for individuals and the following organizations:
	12/2006 – Present	Strake Jesuit High School Football & Baseball Team Members
	10/2006 – Present	Houston St. Thomas High School Football & Baseball Members
	9/2006 – 12/2006	Fort Bend Texan Baseball Teams
	8/2006 – 12/2006	Hudek’s Baseball Academy – All Baseball Teams
	7/2006 – 2008	Spa Gym
	2005 – Present	Big League Baseball Academy(Owner By Retired MLB Player Charlie Hayes)
	2005 – Present	The Sports House(Both Locations)
	2002 – 2005	Speed Merchant Speed Academy & Fitness Center
	2004 – 2004	Spring Branch Sports Assoc. Sharks 14-Year Old Baseball Team
	2003-Present	Stampede Select Baseball Team(Coached By Retired 18-Yr MLB Pitcher Michael Jackson)
	2000 – 2003	Pro Way Baseball Academy
	2000 – 2002	Home Plate, Inc. Baseball Academy
	2001 – 2002	Houston Force (14-yr old Select Baseball team – BBUSA)
	2001 – 2002	Cypress-Fairbanks Rattlers (10-yr old select Baseball team)
	2002 – 2003	Zena Garrison Tennis Center
	2002 – Present	Albion Girls Club Soccer Team Members (9-15 yr olds)
	2001 – 2002	Texas Pride Baseball Academy
	3/2002 – 5/2002	YMCA Reds (10 & 11 yr old Baseball team)
	2004 – Present	Sealy High School Football Team Members

1980	Coined the phrase ‘Speed & Agility Training’

4/1995 – Present	SC Sports Management, Houston, TX	NFL, CFL & AFL Contract Advisor
	Represent and train athletes in the National Football League, Canadian Football League and Arena Football League. Identify and train college, professional and high school youth, high school, college and professional athletes. Specialize in speed development and conditioning.

3/1994 – 4/1995	All Star Management, Houston, TX	Athletic Consultant
	Identified, recruited and trained athletes that Allstar was interested in working with. In training, specialized in speed development and in achieving and maintaining all-around conditioning for the athlete. Recruited and marketed players to NFL teams. Accomplishments included the recruiting and signing of two 1995 draft picks, Jimmy Oliver, WR, 2nd round draft pick of San Diego Chargers, and Mike Scurlock, DB, 5th round draft pick of St. Louis Rams. Signed eight Free Agents who signed with NFL teams inlcuding James Logan, LB, currently with the Seattle Seahawks in the same draft. Also signed three Free Agents with CFL teams during the same year. Recruited, signed, marketed and trained Grady Jackson, DE, who was drafted in 1997 by the Oakland Raiders.

1991	Installed and customized the running shoot offense for Alcorn State during Steve McNair’s freshman year.

** Trained and worked with numerous athletes including Stanley Floyd (Ranked #1 in World in 100-Meter Dash & Olympian), Tony Smith, Lance Smith, Jimmy Oliver, Mike Scurlock, Gary Brown, Lamar Lathon, James Logan, Roosevelt Brown, Michael Brown, Jason Bourgeois, Mike Bowman and Mickey McKee.