Van Halanger out, Tereshinski in, as Dogs’ strength coach
Dave Van Halanger, who has been the Georgia football program’s director of strength and conditioning for the past decade, was reassigned Thursday.
Van Halanger was shifted to a new position as administrative assistant to coach Mark Richt, who named Joe Tereshinski, a former Georgia player and long-time staffer, to succeed Van Halanger as strength and conditioning director.
Van Halanger –- one of the first people Richt hired upon arriving at Georgia in January 2001 — has more than three decades experience as a strength coach and is well known for his grueling off-season “mat drills.” But Georgia’s strength training, like many other aspects of the program, has drawn criticism as the Bulldogs have posted back-to-back disappointing seasons.
The reassignment of Van Halanger, 57, came exactly one year after Richt’s last staff shakeup. On Dec. 2, 2009, following a 7-5 regular season, Richt fired three assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.
Georgia completed a 6-6 regular season last week.
For Van Halanger’s replacement, Richt turned to a man with deep ties to the Georgia program.
Tereshinski, 57, has been an assistant strength coach at Georgia since 1982. He also has doubled in other roles through the years: offensive line and special teams coach (1982-84), administrative assistant to coach Vince Dooley (1985-86) and video coordinator (since 1987).
“Joe has had a hand in Georgia’s strength and conditioning program for nearly 30 years,” Richt said in a statement Thursday. “I’m excited about what he can bring to our program in this capacity and the direction he’ll set as we move forward.”
In addition to being a former Georgia player — the starting center in 1975 and ‘76 — Tereshinski is the son, brother and father of former Bulldogs. His father, Joe Tereshinski Sr., lettered in the 1940s; his brother, Wally Tereshinski, in the 1970s; and his son, Joe Tereskinski III, in 2004-06.
According to UGA, Van Halanger’s new role will include involvement in areas such as players’ character education, mentoring and community-service initiatives.
“Dave has made immeasurable contributions to our football program and been a major factor in our 96 victories over the last 10 years,” Richt said. “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.”
Van Halanger, who followed Richt to Georgia from Florida State, was the Seminoles’ strength and conditioning coach for 18 years (1983-2000). Before that, he was the strength coach at West Virginia, his alma mater, for five years. His teams have reached bowls for 30 consecutive seasons.
He was inducted into the Strength and Conditioning Hall of Fame in 2003.
Van Halanger and Tereshinski will assume their new duties on Jan. 1, UGA said.
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351 comments Add your comment
BigDawg
December 2nd, 2010
4:53 pm
Goldberg can’t get off the roids.
junkyarddawg
December 2nd, 2010
4:54 pm
Hoepfully, JT2 comes with a plan for major changes; if not I hope he is only temp. Someone from the NFL might be exactly what these guys need. I’m sure Grantham has some guys in mind. I also hope that In the know really is and Rodney Garner is gone. At the beginning of the season when everyone was calling for Bobo’s head I said then that these are the 2 that had to go if we are ever going to complete with UF, UA, AU & LSU.
LagDawg
December 2nd, 2010
4:54 pm
If Garner goes before NSD, we will not get Crowell. Garner and Crowell’s coach are pretty close and that will be the end of that. I do agree that we need a new RC, but to change now will destroy the rest of the recruiting unless you bring in someone that actually knows how to recruit and not somebody that was already and understudy on the team. We need to improve now, not later. After the Auburn game, CMR should have a new attitude on playing football because his laid back demeanor is not getting the job done and after his buddy got fired you might think he would want to do better, but maybe I’m just crazy for wanting a better football team at UGA.
Intramurals Brother
December 2nd, 2010
4:54 pm
And I thought Joey T got the starting QB job because he was good.
9 and 1
December 2nd, 2010
4:55 pm
Heck, I always thought Herschel should be our RB Coach. Isaiah C. would not bat an eye at Bama and would definitley come to UGA! Most RB’s would with Herschel there!
Joey
December 2nd, 2010
4:55 pm
“Joe T is as good as it can get,”
________________
Then, why has he been an assistant since ‘82?
And, I believe he will work hard. Hell, I believe all of Richt’s staff work hard. They just haven’t gotten results in a while.
MountainDawg
December 2nd, 2010
4:56 pm
I hope Coach T can ramp it up. S&C doesn’t just mean lifting & improving max lift #s. It also consists of cardio, agility & balance. Football doesn’t = powerlifting. These guys are getting gassed late in the game.
FYI, Bill Goldberg trained, commentated on & knows MMA. A cross-training program that many MMA fighters use would greatly improve cardio & explosiveness.
boots
December 2nd, 2010
4:57 pm
I’d love to see Goldberg back in Athens. The dude was a monster. He might need to leave some of the wrestling suppliments at the by-pass, but otherwise, he would be welcomed back. This is an odd hire since it does not bring any new talent to Athens. Not sure what is up with this.
td
December 2nd, 2010
4:58 pm
I am glad to see all of you so called fans S&C experts. You all do not know what the H3ll you are talking about so just shut the F*** up and get another team to root for or grab your shoes and go through mat drills with team. I really do not care which you decide because either way I will not have to read your non knowing BS anymore.
jarvis
December 2nd, 2010
4:58 pm
Is that Little Hercules kid all growed up yet?
DamntheButcher
December 2nd, 2010
4:59 pm
Let make sure we keep all the Good ole Boys in a job in Athens just like Lauren Smith who has sucked on the school all his life.
Sopwith Camel
December 2nd, 2010
4:59 pm
This is why the program at UGA never gets any better. Richt should have cleaned house in the conditioning staff. This guy was there when the program sucked. Why does Richt think, all of a sudden that this guy is going to be a completely different person?? And keeping the guy who wasn’t getting the job done and letting him sweep floors and draw a big paycheck??? This is just mind-boggoling. And Richt sees these as the best he can do at the changes that need to be made?? It gets sadder every day. Next year at this same time people will look back and wonder why Richt was given one more year.
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
4:59 pm
TONE
-4:52 POST
LMAO-POST OF THE DAY!
the real Old Gold
December 2nd, 2010
5:00 pm
Does Richt always do whatever the fans want? I wonder what weaknesses the players see in him that cause so makes them think they can do whatever they want too..
tampaBIGdawg
December 2nd, 2010
5:01 pm
I agree with 9 and 1 on Herschel being the RB coach. That he could do. Probably do well at assistant RC also. Don’t know if his multiple personalities would work in a living room but it sure would as a coach. “You got to cut right, then left,never stop moving, to get through the mud (DLine) then just run over the pebbles(secondary) till you reach your goal”, quote from Mr. Walker at a conference. Got to love that guy.
Hobnail Boot
December 2nd, 2010
5:01 pm
Goldberg would be perfect. Heck he can even show them the Spear move.
Tony Horton
December 2nd, 2010
5:02 pm
They should have hired me, Tony Horton – I would bring P90X to Athens and have Caleb, Washaun and company doing Yoga-X, Plyo-X, X-Stretch and even Kenpo-X.
You want results in the SEC? You have got to BRING IT!
"Whatchagot Loran?"
December 2nd, 2010
5:03 pm
That’s “Loran” to you Butcher.
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
5:04 pm
Hobnail Boot,
Fairley at AU already has a patent on that move
jarvis
December 2nd, 2010
5:04 pm
And if his backs don’t play well, he can punish them by holding them at gunpoint at his kitchen table for 9 hours.
I think you guys are onto something.
DamntheButcher
December 2nd, 2010
5:04 pm
One of the problems in Athens is giving some 150 lb running back a free ride. I kinda doubt that Carlton Thomas would be able to start at Georgia State!!!!
Joey
December 2nd, 2010
5:04 pm
What, td, is this blog required reading for you? Sorry you “have to read” the remarks . . .
hmmmm.......
December 2nd, 2010
5:05 pm
Herschel Walker
Bunch of Girly Men
December 2nd, 2010
5:05 pm
“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.”
Joe Tereshinski, who has been an assistant strength coach at UGA since 1982……..
Maybe he is part of the problem also.
Erk
December 2nd, 2010
5:06 pm
More of the same ole same ole, promoting Van Halanger’s understudy. CMR is protecting his buddy. Why Joe T., Jr? Why not Joe T. III or even Joe T. IV? This move makes 0 sense. Looking at another year of gassed Dawgs in the fourth.
Hobnail Boot
December 2nd, 2010
5:07 pm
Murphy, I know right, maybe he worked with Golberg in the past.
AltamahaDawg
December 2nd, 2010
5:07 pm
Jeez, its like listening at the door of a bunch of teenage girls upset at the latest text from Becky!
It’s Dec. 1. Not exactly the prime time in coaching carousel, now is it? You want him to go out and hire the best S&C coach in the nation on Dec. 1? No thought, no interview? No matter that “the” guy probably has a job right now, and is getting ready for his bowl game. Richt should have already hired and moved him to Athens by now?
Joey
December 2nd, 2010
5:07 pm
Must be nice to suck at your job, and your boss gives you even more cushy job. I wish Mark Richt was my boss!
DIT
December 2nd, 2010
5:07 pm
Alright, I’m coming on here new to the news here. Some say this is a temp job others say it’s permanent. Which one is it? Anyone know for sure?
Love the idea about Walker being the running back coach. If all his different personalities came out at one time we can have a HC, RB coach, S&C coach, DC, O-Line coach all wrapped into one. ha ha
Seriously, what is the scoop of this latest move?
Nate the Great
December 2nd, 2010
5:08 pm
Two words: Richard Simmons
At least he is physical training!!!!!!!!!!!!
WTF coach Richt
DamntheButcher
December 2nd, 2010
5:10 pm
Do you idiots think Hershel W. is going to be a RB coach and stop making the money he is making now? Same for Goldberg. They are both probably making more than M.R.
DIT
December 2nd, 2010
5:10 pm
Two words: Richard Simmons
________________________________
Now that’s funny right there!
Joey
December 2nd, 2010
5:10 pm
“It’s Dec. 1. Not exactly the prime time in coaching carousel”
_________________________
Didn’t Richt dismiss 3 assistants last year before the bowl game? Just asking?
DamntheButcher
December 2nd, 2010
5:10 pm
What about Susan Powder?
CDAWG
December 2nd, 2010
5:10 pm
04Dawg, you think just because a guy is 50, he has lost his motivation, his will to learn, or his competitive nature. I beg to differ. A 50 year old guy has what a younger guy doesn’t, wisdom and knowledge.
Nate the Great
December 2nd, 2010
5:11 pm
Altamaha,
No but he sure as sheet didnt need hire John Tereshinski!! Do what you are saying, dont make a move and dont announce anything other than Van Halenger’s job change
superDawg
December 2nd, 2010
5:11 pm
A few 300 lb girl friends would’nt hurt anybody but the folks on the first floor.
Hobnail Boot
December 2nd, 2010
5:12 pm
Goldberg not doing anything right now but the cannon ball run. How much do you think that pays?
DIT
December 2nd, 2010
5:12 pm
DamntheButcher – Please chill. I think these were just comments. Kind of like a wish list. No one would expect these two to come to UGA to coach. From what I read no one was really serious about it. Just comments!
Mr. Magoo
December 2nd, 2010
5:12 pm
I have a novel idea!! Instead of reassigning the old S&C coach to “Administrative Assistant to the Head Coach” in charge of “Player Character Education”, just RECUIT PLAYERS THAT ALREADY HAVE CHARACTER!!! If the players that UGA recuits do not have character when they get to college (See Ealy and King), you are too late!! That is why you won the “Fulmer Cup”!!
46-39
December 2nd, 2010
5:13 pm
AltamahaDawg, exactly the point. Why would he ‘promote’ someone to this job before he’s interviewed anyone else? He didn’t just move VH, he put someone else in his place. If he would have left the vacancy open then I could see your point.
memphisdawg
December 2nd, 2010
5:14 pm
Where is Greg Anderson? Perfect for the job.
'72 Dawg
December 2nd, 2010
5:16 pm
Say it ain’t so, Joe!
I know Joe T and went to UGA with him II
December 2nd, 2010
5:16 pm
Oh, can anyone name any weight training coach at any school? This needs to be a hire that leads to immediate changes in the S&C drills. Joe T will be that implement of change.
Years ago, GT had a name guy that was on the Israeli Olympic weight lifting team and his last name was Zinn, as in the old Buckhead Arden Zinn Studios that were wildy popular, that his wife launched. He was a top nothc pro weight lifter and was dire tly responsible for GT having strong lines under Bill Curry.
What matters is do they know their stuff and will they be enforcers in the weight room and inform Richt if the schedules for weight lifting are not being met.
I like the hire. Name one guy at any other major school and I doubt that anyone can, unless like me, they know one guy.
Gman
December 2nd, 2010
5:17 pm
Get the best man for the job of getting this team in the best possible condition for 60 minutes of battle! I don’t care where they went to school!
Dawgfan1
December 2nd, 2010
5:17 pm
Big House Power is available. Joe Kenn is the man. Check him out. This is who they need.
dawg from a distance
December 2nd, 2010
5:18 pm
Fresh blood is needed…… move was needed just wrong choice on move. Need a guy like at Bama.
AltamahaDawg
December 2nd, 2010
5:18 pm
yes Joey, but he didnt hire thier replacements till much later, which is more than likely what is going on here. In the interim, he needs a guy to fill that spot and shut down conversation about “staff” till after the recruiting wars.
AltamahaDawg
December 2nd, 2010
5:19 pm
and I am sorry if the little girl comment hurt any feelings. Some of your raised you hands pretty quick there.
DIT
December 2nd, 2010
5:19 pm
Just get me some “Big Uglies” on the Defensive and Offensive side of the Ball!