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Thursday, December 2, 2010

Georgia making changes in strength and conditioning program

Georgia has officially announced the changes: Joe Tereshinski is in as the new director of the strength program. He replaces Dave Van Halanger, who will become an administrative assistant to head coach Mark Richt.

Tereshinski has been the strength and conditioning assistant and video coordinator. He has worked at Georgia since 1982, and his son Joe Tereshinski III lettered at quarterback for Georgia from 2004-06.

“Joe has had a hand in Georgia’s strength and conditioning program for nearly 30 years,” Richt said in a statement. “I’m excited about what he can bring to our program in this capacity and the direction he’ll set as we move forward.”

Van Halanger’s new duties were described as including a new mentoring program, former player initiatives and character development.

“Dave has made immeasurable contributions to our football program and been a major factor in our 96 victories over the last ten years,” Richt said in the statement.

“This role for Dave will allow us to tap into many of his strengths that will be of great benefit to Georgia, to me, and most of all to our student-athletes in a very unique way. He will be outstanding in working with and motivating our young people in these many areas that will bring strong guidance to them in their daily lives.”

The changes will take effect on Jan. 1, according to UGA.

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David Pollack, the former All-American linebacker at Georgia, described Tereshinski and Van Halanger as "polar opposites", and for that reason thinks the move could be beneficial.

“Coach Van Halanger is one of the sweetest human beings you’ll ever meet," Pollack said. "Such a good team builder and motivator. One of those guys you could always go to. A father-figure type guy. Coach T, you can go to him anytime you want to, but he might have a switch waiting for you. He’s very, very old school.

"I don’t think there’s anyone that ever pushed me harder than coach T. Just old school, hard work, you’re going to do things the hard way. He’s just got that really passionate, fiery, he’s gonna let you know if you’re not doing it his way. It’s different.”
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Here's an update: Joe Tereshinski, whose current title is strenght and conditioning and video coordinator, is being put in charge of the entire strength program, and John Kasay Sr. is being coming on board as an assistant. That's according to a source.

Kasay was the assistant strength coach under Vince Dooley. His son is a former Bulldog kicker now with the NFL's Carolina Panthers.

A former player, who will remain anonymous because the move hasn't been made official, was fully on board with the change: "Coach T is a stud. I'm telling you that is such a great move it ain't even funny."

It's not clear what happens to Dave Van Halanger, who has overseen the strength program since Mark Richt was hired at Georgia in 2001.
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It looks like I'll have to update this later, and will do so in this space. But in the meantime, there is confirmation that changes are coming in the Georgia football team's strength and conditioning program.

"I can tell you there is some administrative re-organization coming in the football program," Claude Felton, UGA's associate athletics director for communication, said to media members in an e-mail on Thursday. "I should have more info later today so stay tuned."

Former Georgia player Kelin Johnson, who now works in the media, made a reference earlier on Thursday on Twitter to Dave Van Halanger, the director of the strength and conditioning program:

"Coach Van..You will be missed so much! Thank you for all you have done for me and my fellow teammates! We Love you!"

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dave Van Halanger is a good man and was a huge part of the resurgence of Georgia football. Good luck to him.

Anonymous said...

One Clown down and a few to go !

Anonymous said...

It's gonna be Joe T. We'll miss DVH, hopefully, they know what they are doing with the new hire - seems bizarre.

Anonymous said...

Richt has lost his mind. With all the quality S&C guys out there, he moves Joe T over from the film room? I bet Grantham quits on his own.

Anonymous said...

Can we go ahead and let Grantham and Rodney Garner go with DVH out the door ?

Keese said...

out of all the innovative up and coming S & C guys out there, we move up Tereshinski and Kasay? Just b/c they are legacy UGA guys doesn't mean they are the best. How old are they, in their 50's or 60's? Geez.

Long Duck Dawg said...

Man - you guys are all crazy. You act like you're in there every day with the team. You have no idea what's going on on the inside - why do you jump in and act like you do?

Keese said...

Coach Van Halanger will be missed. Thanks for all you've done for the program and the lives you've touch. He's was truly a legend in college S&C.

NCDawg said...

Admin. Assistant doesn't extend or even maintain DVH's coaching career. In the private sector, we call the position Special Projects. You give a good person who has worked hard a payroll spot for a few months to give them a chance to find another position. No one gets fired, everyone can maintain a resume, but the changes that need to be made are made.

Stand-up move by CMR.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with Long Duck. Im sure all you couch potato coaches think you would have UGA playing in the BCS Championship every year? Wake up

TomReagan said...

Now that it's official, who gave that quote?

Anonymous said...

Why don't we just go out and hire all of Ray Goff's former staff? JoeT and Kasey were the S&C coaches under Dooley and Goff. Hey get ready for 70's styled work outs!!!! Its a change but a change for the absolute WORST!!!!

Will said...

Why do they jump in, LDD? Because they obviously know the program better than David Pollack.

Anonymous said...

Well one thing is for certain and that is changes were needed.Some of you idiot homers need to wake up. Couch potato or not UGA has been slipping dramatically. Maybe its time for some old school hard work instead of the coddling that has been taking place for a few years now.

Anonymous said...

Richt is officially embarrassing now. This is so awesome. With his back against the wall, the team floundering, and his career on the line, he promotes a friend. Classic. Richt is dumb as hell.

Anonymous said...

What a damn joke our football program has become. UGA has millions in the bank and cant even go out and hire a new S & C staff. All of this is... Boys Home of the South Act II.

HendSo said...

Russell stock just went up 10 points because of all the high-waistband polyester coaches shorts that will be sold in Athens, GA . . .

Anonymous said...

BTW.... How about bring back the real silver britches and not the gray ones. I also say UGA wears the Black jerseys for next years opener against Boise.

Anonymous said...

Why is Richt so reluctant to hire from outside of the program? Is this a joke?

Anonymous said...

It just hit me, we are the opposite of the Oregon program. They are fresh and innovative and we are stale and stuck in the mud.

Anonymous said...

You may be onto something anon 11:30 . . .

Georgia spelled backwards, and possibly upside down, is in fact Oregon.

Will said...

Welcome to everyone from the AJC boards.