Began at Auburn: May 1996

Education: Karkoska graduated from Auburn University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion. He later completed a Master of Education, with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology, in 2001. Karkoska started actively pursuing a Ph.D. in Adult Education, starting in May of 2017. Karkoska received an Ed.S. degree in Adult Education in 2020.

Job Responsibilities: Karkoska assists Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Performance in the day-to-day operation and management of Watson Fieldhouse, which is home to Auburn’s Olympic sports teams. PK is directly responsible for the development and implementation for all aspects of strength & conditioning for Auburn’s softball, swimming and diving teams.

Work Experience: Karkoska has served the Auburn Athletics Department as a strength & conditioning coach, since September 1994 as a graduate assistant strength & conditioning coach with the Olympic sports programs. He was later elevated to an assistant coach in May of 1996 and was fully promoted to head strength & conditioning coach in October of 1996. 

Certifications: Karkoska is a Master Strength & Conditioning Coach (MSCC) by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), receiving the honor in 2015. He also holds a Strength & Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) certification, with the CSCCa, as an original member of the organization since its formation in 2001.  Karkoska also holds two certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA); one as a Registered Strength & Conditioning Coach, Emeritus level (RSCC*E), since 2014, and as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (CSCS) since 1996.

Personal: Karkoska is married to Carrie McCambridge, a Hall of Fame diver from Purdue. They have two children, a daughter, Georgia and a son, Mack.