Staff Directory

Rhen Vail
- Title:
- Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Email:
Rhen Vail joined the University of Louisville women's basketball program as head strength and conditioning coach prior to the 2021-22 season.
As the head strength and conditioning coach, he oversees year-round strength training and conditioning programs, coordinates and schedules all training sessions, collects and analyzes Catapult data to track external load on athletes throughout the year and much more.
Prior to joining the Cardinals, he spent three seasons (2018-2021)Â as the head strength and conditioning coach for the University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team.
From 2011 to 2018, he was a member of the strength and conditioning staff at Kent State University. After serving two seasons as a graduate assistant and working with football, women's soccer and track and field, he was promoted to assistant strength and conditioning coach, where he continued his work with football, women's soccer and track and field and began working with baseball. In his final two seasons at Kent State, he served as the head basketball sports performance coach, where he worked primarily with the men's and women's basketball teams.
He is Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa). He is also certified as a Level 1 Sports Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting (USAW).
Vail earned a master’s degree in sport and recreation management at Kent State University in 2013 and graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in exercise science in 2011.
Rhen resides in Louisville with his wife Caitlyn de la Haba and their sons, Easton and Breuer.
As the head strength and conditioning coach, he oversees year-round strength training and conditioning programs, coordinates and schedules all training sessions, collects and analyzes Catapult data to track external load on athletes throughout the year and much more.
Prior to joining the Cardinals, he spent three seasons (2018-2021)Â as the head strength and conditioning coach for the University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team.
From 2011 to 2018, he was a member of the strength and conditioning staff at Kent State University. After serving two seasons as a graduate assistant and working with football, women's soccer and track and field, he was promoted to assistant strength and conditioning coach, where he continued his work with football, women's soccer and track and field and began working with baseball. In his final two seasons at Kent State, he served as the head basketball sports performance coach, where he worked primarily with the men's and women's basketball teams.
He is Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa). He is also certified as a Level 1 Sports Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting (USAW).
Vail earned a master’s degree in sport and recreation management at Kent State University in 2013 and graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in exercise science in 2011.
Rhen resides in Louisville with his wife Caitlyn de la Haba and their sons, Easton and Breuer.
UofL MBB Pat Kelsey - Virginia Preview - Jan. 12, 2026
Monday, January 12
WBB: Pitt Highlights (1/11/26)
Sunday, January 11
WBB: Jeff Walz Postgame Presser (Pitt 1/11/26)
Sunday, January 11
WBB: Laura Ziegler & Anaya Hardy Postgame Presser (Pitt 1/11/26)
Sunday, January 11











