The issue of bulking up causes a decrease in fitness,in my experiences, is false. If this were the case, then the fitness program needs to be revamped. I have had college players gain upwards of 10 lbs and increase fitness (measures on various tests) over 14 weeks of off season.
I think there is more to this issue then we know. I would be curious how much say the coach has into what is being done. Also, the performance coach likes to keep his job and might not want to rock the boat and does enough to please everyone involved, leaving the players being shorted on their performance. This has occurred with many NFL teams here in the states. S&Cs do the minimal work, and most of it machine based lifting of 2-3x101-2 reps of everything. Athletes don’t get hurt, they (S&C) keep their jobs. Adding plyos, or squats without belts (i.e. NY Yankees fiasco a few years back) and players start bitching, getting hurt, and then you have a firing on your hands.