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
Free A.J.
December 2nd, 2010
8:47 pm
To all you know nothings, you are out of your minds. Joe Tereshinski Jr. is the EPITOME of The University of Georgia. Great guy, obviously very loyal, and demands total respect out of his charges. I could not think of anyone better to take this on. You gotta give it a chance. If it does not work out he would be the first one to admit it. David Pollack tweeted that this is exactly what these know it all kids of today need. And he is spot on.
Texas Peach
December 2nd, 2010
8:52 pm
If it doesn’t work out Dan Mullen will be wearing Red and Black…nothing against Georgia People but WOW…not a good hire….
NORRIS
December 2nd, 2010
8:54 pm
This isnt a positon that people thought would be addressed so why even get upset. All of the drills still go thru richt and all conditioning so the job is just an empty suit.
drew
December 2nd, 2010
8:57 pm
this is terrible, probably the dumbest move i have ever heard of. this is the problem, richt is so scared of bring somebody in from the outside. not only do we need new staff, we need a whole new workout regimen. our guys are undersized and weak compared to south carolina, auburn, florida, tennessee, and alabama. we have athletes but they can take their athletes to the next level just by their workout program.
Texas Peach
December 2nd, 2010
8:58 pm
The Strenght and Conditioning job at Major Univeristy is not a “fluff” job….I would say most HC could not even name the workouts except Bench, Squats, Cleans and 40 times…and i think folks knew this was coming as early as a couple of weeks ago…
happy warrior
December 2nd, 2010
9:00 pm
It’s moves like this that tell me that UGa is going to stay down. Your S&C coach should be someone that is full of energy…. Not geritol!
ChuckDAWG
December 2nd, 2010
9:03 pm
I like the sounds of a Pollack coming back! I trust Richt and believe he has the humility to admit when he or his personnel is wrong. We are allowed a down year, just not a consecutively. Look at Texas…not even bowl eligable. Richt is the man. He is shaking it up and daddy likey!
BIGDOGONTHEPORCH
December 2nd, 2010
9:06 pm
R.Lee Ermy anyone?
FLA DAWG
December 2nd, 2010
9:08 pm
Come On Mark!
You KNEW Van H was going to be replaced BEFORE you wrote the article!
Give us something a Dawg can chew on – When Is Bobo going to be Canned?
Top Dawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:10 pm
All of you Dumb A** critics should give CMR alot of credit for this move. I was coached by Joe T in the late ’70s and worked out under Kasay. Whether temp or permanent move, This is a great move by Coach. Kasay is a demon and a Helluva disciplinarian on and off the field. Just goes to show that so many of the so called Dawg supporters do not have a clue. CMR has demonstrated his commitment to delivering on his commitment to taking the Dawg Nation to the promised land. It is so sad that there are so many dumb ass, no nothing fair weather fans that call UGA their Team. Do your home work
AltamahaDawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:14 pm
Plug in a monster at NG, find another Garrison Hearst, get a couple of those freshman OL up to speed, and the Strength and Conditioning will cease to be the in-vogue thing to hear and repeat. And if you don’t find those, we could hire superman to no avail. Flatsdawg is correct, most of what folks are complaining about has way more to do with football playing, than “conditioning”.
Plus does anybody actually think that there are techniques, equipment, or any knowledge out there that everybody doesnt already know about? Who and where does this so called “young gun” gets such information? Secretely stuffing it in his grab-bag it at the workshops put on by the myriad of vendors so that nobody else will know?
Waycross, GA
December 2nd, 2010
9:18 pm
I think that this hire can’t possibly be any worse than what we had previously. I’m guessing he will do better and get these kids on track. Something must be done with our S&C program. UGA simply didn’t have the BEEF to compete in the SEC, especially on both lines, and it really showed in the 2nd half of the close games.
DawginOH
December 2nd, 2010
9:20 pm
Would have preferred an outside hire, but I’ll take it. Maybe Goldberg will be available for the next season?
AltamahaDawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:22 pm
drew, very fair for you to have an opinion of JoeT abilities in this new role, (based on whatever criteria you seem to have) BUT Richt’s record on coaching changes is just as strong on bringing in folks from the outside as it is to promote from within. Good heavens he JUST brought in an entirely new defensive staff. The majority of his offensive staff was an outside hire. Are you suggesting that other coaches don’t, on occation, promote some of thier staff from within?
dodgecountydawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:22 pm
hey all of you out there who are critizing the Joe T. hired are not correct and have dang short memories!! Seems like when Joe. T. was playing and coaching that we were tough-ass Junk-Yard Dawgs !! it’s mental fellow’s !! you think that Erk Russell had the biggest and strongest and faster players on Defense ,, no !! ,but did they knock somebody head off ?? heck yeah !! We dont need bodybuilder’s out there , we need tough ass FOOTBALL players who want it more than the guy across the line ! That’s what count and win !!! Rest my case !
flagboy?
December 2nd, 2010
9:27 pm
jarvis
December 2nd, 2010
4:51 pm
I’m hearing reports that this is only a temproray deal until after the bowl.
Jack Lalanne will be named S and C program head in January. Free carrot juice for all.
________________________________________________
+1
well played.
flagboy?
December 2nd, 2010
9:34 pm
I have all the respect in the world for Tereshinski. . . .but have to really hope this is just a temp move and someone else is coming in. I’m sure the coaches know a lot more about it than any of us, but it just seems if it was broke in S&G, then an internal hire wouldn’t be the answer.
Go Dawgs
Texas Peach
December 2nd, 2010
9:39 pm
Heard form close GA Alum this is Temp….more to hirings to come…need someone in Charge for now…
9 out of 10
December 2nd, 2010
9:40 pm
at least we are not tech fans!
Texas Peach
December 2nd, 2010
9:43 pm
Coach Van was the Strength Guru when at FLA State and when he came to GA….Mat Drills have soften the last few year….coaches help wtih those I beleive…I do truly hope that Coach T and Coach Kasey are successful in that role and Coach Richt wins….he is a Great Person and Coach….Michigan has a really good Strength Guy and Former Strength coach at So Cal might be interested after year with Seahawks….
9 out of 10
December 2nd, 2010
9:43 pm
hey FLA DAWG our offense has scored more points than any other uga team. Why would we fire Bobo?
9 out of 10
December 2nd, 2010
9:45 pm
Enter your comments here
collegeballfan
December 2nd, 2010
9:49 pm
Why did Richt not go out and hire a professional S & C coach? This does not make much sense.
Steve
December 2nd, 2010
9:53 pm
Look, I really love promoting ex-Bulldogs, and I am sure JT2 is a great guy and probably a knowledgable person when it comes to S&C.
My problem with this is that he has tutored for the last few years under a S&C coach that obviously wasn’t getting the job done. My only hope is he learned something under previous coaches when our OL and DL at least played up to expectations, even if they didn’t surpass them. Lately we have underplayed, especially on the OL where injuries cannot be used as an excuse any longer.
Wait till Next year Dawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:54 pm
Richard Simmons is the man ! Oh wait a second ….
GDAWG65
December 2nd, 2010
9:58 pm
At least Halanger is out of there. Give Tereshinski a chance, the Dawgs really need inprovement in strength and conditioning. I hope he’s the answer. If not then Richt should act quickly and replace him. This dragging out for replacing losers is why we are losing!
Army Dawg in Iraq
December 2nd, 2010
9:58 pm
Vance Duly, you stole my thunder, I think Pollock would be perfect, even as an assistant. He would be a great motivator and dynamite on the recruiting trail. This guy needs to be on the staff!!!
Time for a Change!!
December 2nd, 2010
9:59 pm
This move is Pathetic! Typical Richt move, so its not a shocker. His loyalty to his buddies is far more important than putting a winning football team on the field!! Pathetic move from a Pathetic Coach!!
Snoop Dawg
December 2nd, 2010
10:05 pm
I’m totally underwhelmed. The UGA mafia is tight even if they are a bunch of losers…
Snoop Dawg
December 2nd, 2010
10:07 pm
So da Preacha Man’s buddy is still on the payroll, eh? What does that say?
Vance Duly
December 2nd, 2010
10:09 pm
9 out of 10 – here’s a few reasons why Coach Bobo should either go or revert to being QB coach again:
1. Inconsistent play-calling (ex: 220 yards and 3 TDs vs. Tech in 1st half, then threw 5 passes in 2nd half). Tech never stopped us, we stopped ourselves! UNTIL our defense is respectable again, we have to count on OUTSCORING opponents, rather than posting a decent number and praying that we’ll get lucky somehow. Scoring over 30 didn’t help us beat FL or Auburn. Yet, before the end of the 1st half vs. Auburn, we just ran out approx. 50 seconds without even trying to set up a FG try.
Brilliant offensive series are often followed by lunacy that fails us……….
2. Moments of Cluelessness (ex: last year, we’re dominating KY, using a seldom-called series of roll-out passes from Cox to Charles, and once to T. King.) 2nd half – we run the play 0 times, dry up offensively, and lose. KY never stopped the play – WE did. Bobo said we wanted to spread the ball around (instead of making KY STOP US!!!). Also, last year vs. Auburn, AJ goes out with an injury, and on the next play, we hit Israel Troupe for a TD bomb. Troupe almost never saw a pass all year. When asked after the game, Bobo admits he didn’t know that AJ was out of the game. So, the play that turned the game around and led to our comeback win, never would have been called if he had KNOWN that Troupe was in there. 3rd, after the Tech game, when told about the above-mentioned passing stats, Coach Richt said “we probably should have thrown more in the 2nd half”. See a trend here……….!?!?
3. Predictability – for the past 2 seasons, if we threw incomplete on 1st down in a normal game situation (not a blow-out), it was 80-90% likely that the next play would be a run between the tackles, leaving our QB with a 3rd and long most often. Kevin Butler has questioned this on his radio show, not understanding the logic of it at all…. It’s foolish to set your QB up consistently for 3rd and long, especially inexperienced guys like Joe Cox and Aaron Murray. To make it worse, we often use play fakes on obvious passing downs, which only slows our QB getting into passing position.
If Bobo stays, he needs to watch how the best teams put their foot on the gas pedal and NEVER let off until the game is won…………..watch Auburn and Oregon. Auburn gave us NO rest once they got moving. By then, we had already stopped what had been working to force a running game that wasn’t….. AGAIN, once we have a good defense, we can give away a few drives each game for the sake of ball control or whatever. Until then, we need to aim for 50 points!!!
Boca Baby
December 2nd, 2010
10:19 pm
Hey everybody, Bill Goldberg has ties to professional wrestling. That sport is intimately acquainted with steroids. While I am not accusing Goldberg of any wrong doing, it is hard to achieve those muscle forms without steroids. Do we want to go there?
59bulldawg
December 2nd, 2010
10:19 pm
I hear ya Original UGA! Sam Mrvos was the instructor in my freshman weight lifting class.
B3
December 2nd, 2010
10:24 pm
Obviously a lot of people on here have never been around Coach T or know anything about how he operates. He’s full speed ahead 100% of the time. He’s one of the toughest men you’ll ever meet. He bleeds Red and Black. He’s the guy you want busting those smart mouth freshman in the butt when they arrive on campus. He’s the guy who handles the 6am discipline runs every morning. He’s not going to put up with softness. Coach Van is a great man and has done great things for us at Georgia, but obviously CMR thought it was time for a change —- you don’t always have to look outside the house for a change. Coach T will bring a new mindset to how the S&C program is ran. GO DAWGS!
AltamahaDawg
December 2nd, 2010
10:26 pm
“Kevin Butler has questioned this on his radio show, not understanding the logic of it at all.”
So despite the fact that all NFL and college teams do the exact same thing….he can’t understand why we would?
happy jack
December 2nd, 2010
10:31 pm
Enter your comments here
Vance Duly
December 2nd, 2010
10:32 pm
Hey, Kevin Butler was the 1st person in the UGA media that commented on the “run on 2nd & 10 after an incompletion” habit that had been bothering me for 2 seasons. So, I just had to throw his name in there…. Predictability is OK if it works. But, it doesn’t work for us. So, I’m against it. I’m just tired of us putting our players in bad spots for no good reason. It’s the 80-90% habit that is so frustrating. An occasional run on 2nd and 10 is OK. But, why be so stinkin’ predictable!?! Go Dawgs….!
athens old timer
December 2nd, 2010
11:00 pm
the guy that said he went to Ga with Joe T? Um, he was an O lineman, not a D end.
Saying that, I can guarantee, that is GUARANTEE that excuses as to why ‘I couldn’t make it, coach’ to a scheduled lift will be met with the wrath of God on the kid’s head. Joe T will NOT take any excuses. He may be older than many wished for, but he is a head knocker and I don’t think that will be a bad thing. Don’t confuse ‘old school’ with ‘old timer’. I think Joe T will be ‘old school’.
gator laughing
December 2nd, 2010
11:08 pm
now this is funny a secretary, oh excuse me an admin assistaant and video man, going to run your strenght and condition program. Richt will never beat fla again, not even close. Hope you keep him and his great hires for ever.
Stinger
December 2nd, 2010
11:10 pm
If anybody needs a strength coach it is you. Tech just lined up and played smash mouth and stomped your defense for 411 yds rushing, 512 yds total offense, and 32 first downs. What a beat down.
Summit Dawg
December 2nd, 2010
11:12 pm
This is NOT a change!!! A REAL change would be to demote BOOBOO to QB coach, and get someone else to call the plays on offence!!!!!!Guess that will never happen as CMC has his nose, you know where!!!!!!!!!!! Plus, does Coach Richt ever get excited during a game??..NO!…love him, but doubt him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holly
December 2nd, 2010
11:23 pm
Hmmm…what are Joe T’s credentials for being a S & C again??
Coach Van’s list is pretty long……
Van Halanger spent 18 years as FSU’s strength and conditioning coach from 1983-2001 and five years as head strength coach at his alma mater, West Virginia, where he is credited with starting WVU’s first organized weight training program.
Van Halanger has worked with 29 consecutive bowl teams spanning his tenures at UGA, FSU and WVU, with those teams compiling a 21-7-1 record.
He has trained more than 30 NFL first-round draft picks.
He was named the 1993 Strength Coach of the Year by the NFL Coaches.
He was one of the three top college strength coaches featured in the July 1998 issue of Sports Illustrated.
In June, 2001, Van Halanger was awarded the title of Master Strength and
Conditioning Coach, the highest honor presented by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. It is given for professionalism, knowledge, experience, expertise, and longevity in the field. He was also inducted into the Strength and Conditioning Hall of Fame in June, 2003.
He served as strength coach of the 2000 Gridiron Classic and also served as strength and conditioning coach for both teams at the 2004 Gridrion Classic
In 1999 became the FIRST strength coach in the 75-year history of the East-West Shrine Game to be asked to Head coach the team
He has former assistants working at Notre Dame,
N.C. State, Pepperdine and Georgia Tech among other schools.
Two of his charges work in professional baseball, with the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mark Morrison, who is chief strength coach for the pit crews of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports, learned from Van Halanger.
Don’t think Joe T. could or ever can compete with Coach Van’s long list of accomplishments. Apparently CV is doing A LOT right to accomplish all of this.
PMC
December 2nd, 2010
11:27 pm
It can’t be a bad thing to have men who care deeply about the University to be trying to instill those same feelings in young men who clearly are not as focused on strength and conditioning as they should be.
Holly
December 2nd, 2010
11:28 pm
Anyone can comment on what they THINK about the S & C Program Coach Van established at UGA, But unless you actually experience it, there is NO WAY to gain the accurate picture. I’ll let a former player, who knows the program best explain——- Check out Kelin Johnson’s website and go to the July 2010 posts…….you’ll learn a lot
Mark
December 2nd, 2010
11:43 pm
I find the decision underwhelming. In some way I appreciate RIchts old school loyalty to former Bulldogs but that only goes so far. We wont win a national championship for many years if ever but please stop the arrests. Its called peer monitoring.
Dawg20
December 2nd, 2010
11:52 pm
I personally feel Richt is using VanHalanger as a scapegoat. Richt knew his butt was on the line for this horrible season so what does he do get rid of a coach that didn’t call plays. Many of you responding to this need to get your facts straight….Under Van Halanger’s direction, the average student-athlete gained 20-25 pounds, added 100 pounds to his bench press and 200 pounds to his squat during his years at FSU. He was one of three strength coaches featured in a July 1998 issue of Sports Illustrated. He served as strength coach of the 2000 Gridiron Classic in Orlando and in 1999 became the first strength coach in the 75-year history of the East-West Shrine Game to be asked to coach the team. Van Halanger also served as strength and conditioning coach for both teams at the 2004 Gridrion Classic. In addition, he was named the 1993 Strength Coach of the Year by the NFL Coaches. Get your facts straight before you talk out of you butts about new S&C coaches and approaches!
Dawg to the tomb
December 3rd, 2010
12:24 am
@ jiggy…. I read the statement about Obama you wrote earlier, true enough things haven’t gone the way we’d all like for things to have gone, but 2 years in dealing with 8 years of destruction that Bush fanatics voted for I’d say he’s dine one helluva job! I don’t know how Bush or any of his supporters can call themselves Christian when they’d rather a tax break to stay multimillion/billionaires with Bush’s tax “breaks” rather than pay a little extra in taxes so those in need can eat! Baffles me everytime how after a year and a half-two years ppl want to say Obama’s done a terrible job! Yeah, I agree… Someone wanting healthcare to be affordable to everyone is a terrible person! Continue turning a blind eye and this country will continue to fall behind the euro’s and asian countries! Btw GO DAWGS!
Insider
December 3rd, 2010
12:31 am
I believe the SC coach sets the tone during off season sets. His duties prep the team for the season. Once the season starts SC is built around sustainment.
My understanding is that a strength of JoeT is he sets a high standard for toughness. The underlings deal more with diet and kinetics.
A change of attitude I believe is the goal of UGA and right now this change is good.
Frankly Speaking
December 3rd, 2010
12:38 am
I think we should check with the S&C guy at Mississippi State. Someone had all their guys pumped up. They showed a picture of one of their linebackers standing next to Washon Ealey. It looked like Arnold standing next to Mr. Peepers! Check out the players at Oregon, and how fast they move down the field. We are way behind other teams!
You are all clueless
December 3rd, 2010
12:59 am
1- Richt did not use VH as scapegoat. VH went to Richt and asked to be reassigned for the good of the program. He knew he had slipped lately and did not want to be under the scrutiny any longer. We should applaud him for asking for this.
2- Coach T move is perm… BUT, there will be a assistant the comes in that is much younger and will focus on speed, agility, and conditioning. He will be someone that is motivating and someone players are truly scared of not performing for.
3- Grantham is here to stay… I hate it, but it is true… Garner is gone and McClendon will take over as RC… let’s give him a shot and see how he does. Jury is out.
4- New D line coach will be college guy, not NFL… most likely the job will be offered to the Iowa DL coach first.
5- Bobo is being looked at as OC at another school now… I think he may take it if it comes with Asst. Head Coach title too… It may… Richt really likes the idea of bringing in 2 new coaches for staff if that happens… I hear that Major Applewhite will be extended OC job offer and that David Greene will come in as QB coach and that he would love to do so…
Hope this helps