Chris Grautski

Biography

Chris Grautski enters his first season as the director of athletic performance coach for the UCLA football program in 2026. The upcoming campaign marks his 19th year in the collegiate strength and conditioning ranks. Grautski reunites with head coach Bob Chesney after serving on his staffs at James Madison (2025), FCS Holy Cross (2018-23) and NCAA Division II Assumption College (2013-17) for a total of 12 seasons. He has been a full-time member on eight staffs that have reached the Playoffs (four FCS, three NCAA Division II, one CFP). Grautski, alongside Chesney, helped James Madison reach new heights in their one year together in Harrisonburg, Va. in 2025. The Dukes recorded just the 10th unbeaten conference record in Sun Belt history, going 8-0, and captured the program's first Sun Belt Championship. James Madison secured a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the first time in school history with the No. 12 seed and earned its highest AP ranking in program history at No. 19. The Dukes finished the season with a 12-2 record following their CFP First Round appearance. A 2009 graduate of Worcester State University with bachelor's degree in health science, he was a four-year starter on the defensive line for the Lancers, serving as a team captain for two years. Grautski later earned his master's degree in leadership and management from Fitchburg State in 2013.

Career Path