Tereshinski: ‘We’re going to prepare this team for the fourth quarter’

Joe Tereshinski, named Thursday to take over as the Georgia football program’s director of strength and conditioning, started his new job by meeting with the players at 6 a.m. Friday.

Five hours later, he talked with reporters on a conference call.

Here’s some of what he had to say:

  • He thanked Mark Richt for the opportunity, thanked the position coaches who have called to express support and thanked all the strength coaches he has worked with over the years, including predecessor Dave Van Halanger (”the second winningest strength coach in America”).
  • He said he understands the responsibility and importance of the job to the school, the players and the Bulldog Nation. “This job is not taken lightly by me in any way,” he said. He also said: “Everybody realizes that we have to go in a different direction and become stronger, become quicker and turn this program around.”
  • As for changes, Tereshinski said a nutritionist and graduate assistants will “closely monitor” the players’ meals and record what they are eating. “I told them nutrition is one place we’re going to be very candid about.” Also, new technology will be introduced into the weight room, where all workouts will be videotaped and reviewed by strength coaches.
  • “The whole culture we’re going with is, we’re going to prepare this team for the fourth quarter,” Tereshinski said. “Georgia used to be known that in the fourth quarter, they won. . . . We’re going to press and challenge these kids every day to overcome. They’re going to have to overcome.”
  • Even the fabled “mat drills” – the grueling off-season conditioning sessions brought to Georgia from Florida State by Van Halanger –  are on the table.  “Coach Richt and I are discussing the mat drills,” Tereshinski said. “No decision has been made on the mat drills as of yet.”
  • An assistant strength coach at UGA since 1982 and video coordinator since 1987, Tereshinski strongly disagrees with those who opine that Van Halanger’s replacement should have been brought in from outside for a new perspective. “First of all, I have a pretty fresh perspective of our strength program,” he said. He added that his familiarity with the players and his long exposure to SEC football will be beneficial.
  • Tereshinski said he is “talking to some other individuals that may join the staff.” One of those people is John Kasay, a former Georgia strength coach who retired this year after a long career in the athletics department. “He is a tough, hard, knowledgeable, unforgiving, pointed, disciplined man that loves to train kids,” Tereshinski said. “I will visit with John Kasay.”

358 comments Add your comment

SimpleDawg

December 3rd, 2010
1:16 pm

Truly Dis….if you’re so disappointed and UGA is so irrelevant, there are plenty of seats available over at GIT. Feel free to join them.

4th quarter flops have everything to do with strength and conditioning, and have absolutely nothing to do with play calling. You either beat the other guy or you don’t….it aint the play, it’s the player.

Some of you people don’t know $#!+ from grits. Lord, help them.

War Eagle

December 3rd, 2010
1:16 pm

Tereshinski was a joke as a player, and he’ll be an even bigger joke in this job. No one in their right mind would have hired this bozo. An obvious act of desperation for Richt.

If you’re serious about being competitive again, Richt is the one who has to go. Otherwise, keep on getting excited about your 5-star recruiting classes that flop on their faces under Richt’s coaching.

WDE

December 3rd, 2010
1:17 pm

And I’m just collecting tribute… I told you relentlessly that the UGA bus was on fire all the way back in August, and people gave me s&&& for saying Auburn was on the rise. I really wish I could watch you all eat it right now.

Hankie Aron

December 3rd, 2010
1:17 pm

The title at the top of screen is UGA Sports with a Big G to the right. You noticed that right?

Billo

December 3rd, 2010
1:18 pm

we go 6-6 and this is our shake up?

how is a coach 29 years in the program bringing a new prespective?

does anyone else see what i am seeing?

This smells more and more of a 6-6 season in 2011.

UGA89

December 3rd, 2010
1:19 pm

I hate to say it, but I have agree with War Eagle about Mark Richt.

Hankie Aron

December 3rd, 2010
1:20 pm

collecting tribute? If that’s what you are doing feel free, whatever that is I guess

WDE

December 3rd, 2010
1:20 pm

War damn eagle, i mean tiger, i mean $180,000.

volfan

December 3rd, 2010
1:20 pm

You need to check the overall record . We were investigated by the IRS cause they discovered we owned gawga for the last 15 yrs and paid no taxes

JB

December 3rd, 2010
1:20 pm

WDE…..Shouldn’t you be worrying about the total collapse of the Tech team after Johnson’s third year, when most great coaching hires are trending up in success in year three and not in free fall?
43rd and 48th recruiting ratings by rivals the last two years strikes fear in no one. A gaileyless player Tech team is pretty pitiful. Good luck in 2011.

Hankie Aron

December 3rd, 2010
1:21 pm

Bottom line if the Dawgs dont’ win 9 games next year Richt is gone. I would think that is the cutoff

Wamoola

December 3rd, 2010
1:22 pm

Enough of these “shakeups.” Richt is the one who has to go. Fire Richt today.

WinderDogg

December 3rd, 2010
1:23 pm

Tech is not going to recruit NFL prospects running the high school Wing-T…

volfan

December 3rd, 2010
1:23 pm

Wamoola, NO WAY!! Mark Richt is the best coach in America!!!

LagDawg

December 3rd, 2010
1:24 pm

I hope he does know what he’s doing. We need to be beast for all four quarters, not just the forth quarter. Both lines need to be stronger and so does the RBs. Some of the CBs really need to beef up. Branden Smith has been here two years and still weighs 169. This is a joke and the players need to dedicate themselves to improve so that they will have a better season. Getting into the NFL is not a given and hard work has to be put in.

JB

December 3rd, 2010
1:26 pm

UGA89……………There will be a new Head coach in Athens for 2012….. Mark is stuck between depth and talent as of now and will not have time to rebound. We beat the usual suspects next year and lose to the you know who’s. I really don’t see How Adams/ McGarity will be able to salvage Mark with another 5-6 loses. You would think the haters on here would wish Mark luck to win 8 games. Never know who will show up coaching the Dawgs.

WinderDogg

December 3rd, 2010
1:27 pm

Anyone know if Cam is eligible today?

Hankie Aron

December 3rd, 2010
1:27 pm

Can’t comeback any more than that?

rambo and "tree"

December 3rd, 2010
1:30 pm

Lets hope Coach T starts with Ealey!! Ealey looks like a middle school back compared to what he was at ECI. Ealey was a wightlifting monster powerclinging 325 with ease. Ealey couldnt touch that this past year in his second year in a college weightlifting program.

If Ealey cant turn it around, which begins in the weight room. Lets hope Crowell picks UGA over Alabama. We def could use him. Looking forward to watching him tonight against Calhoun. Hopefully hes not all hype and is the real deal!!

WinderDogg

December 3rd, 2010
1:31 pm

Just had lunch with Crowell’s dad…I picked up the check and left him a big tip…Don’t tell Isaiah!

WDE

December 3rd, 2010
1:32 pm

WTF does everyone keep bringing Tech up for? You think a sports fan in Atlanta is either Tech or Georgia?

I guess you need an automatic change-of-subject during a sports argument, glad Tech supplies that for you.

Connected Dawg

December 3rd, 2010
1:34 pm

Good luck to Joe T. Sure hope he can convince Coach Casey (Mother Casey as we called him) to return-Both these men mean business.Alot of Vince and Erk in these 2!!!!

Santa

December 3rd, 2010
1:35 pm

Now how bout a driving coach or a chauffeur?

Mike Bobo 17 INT

December 3rd, 2010
1:35 pm

WDE

I love the way these UGA fans always claim bloggers are techies when someone criticizes their program. Anyone can blog anywhere from New York, to Florida, but as soon as anyone criticizes this useless program, then they are techies.

The bottom line is there is nothing to defend about this program, and CMR can only fire himself at this point in the game.

WinderDogg

December 3rd, 2010
1:35 pm

WDE sure trailer’s in Alabama are low with the economy now…maybe you should consider sweet home..

Mike Bobo 17 INT

December 3rd, 2010
1:36 pm

Unreal to think Auburn is approaching a national title and Dog fans are just waiting for the Chico Bail Bonds Bowl.

WinderDogg

December 3rd, 2010
1:37 pm

Another tech fan trying to find someone else to cheer for…

Connected Dawg

December 3rd, 2010
1:37 pm

Only missing Coach Cavan-Go get him also! Coach Cavan can get Crowell to commit-After all he got Herschel!

dawginhntsville

December 3rd, 2010
1:37 pm

WDE Tech is brought up because you guys are the Tech of the state of Alabama, you guys got the little brother syndrome, always wishing you could be like the Tide but you can never quite do it!!!!!

Florida Dawg

December 3rd, 2010
1:38 pm

I still don’t understand why NON – UGA fans troll this blog/forum. I guess they have nothing better to do than trash talk UGA.

Well, EVERYONE of you trollers…harrassment must be the greatest sign of flattery and jealously I’ve ever seen.

I hate the Gators with all of my being, but I don’t troll their news blogs. When I say hate, I mean I root for EVERYONE to beat them, but don’t troll their sites. Get over yourselves and your programs.

Richard Simmons

December 3rd, 2010
1:39 pm

I will be there Monday morning bright eyed and bushy tailed and dancing to the oldies. No more hip hop on ipods! Carrot sticks anyone ?

WDE

December 3rd, 2010
1:39 pm

i am a duoche

Greg Talley (Ho)

December 3rd, 2010
1:39 pm

I wanted to express my gratitude for Greg’s coming back by UGA to coach Aaron Murray to greatness. I want to take the time to express my thanks to coach Bobo, and he will do a great job with our special teams.

Coach McClendon’s new assignment will be the Offensive Line, and we have move Coach Searels to Scott Lakatos position as Defensive Backs Coach. We felt Tony Ball would be and excellent Defensive Line coach, and Rodney has agreed to now become our Running Back coach. Scott Lakatos is in charge of the Wide Receivers.

We all agree that we agree.

Coach Richt

dawginhntsville

December 3rd, 2010
1:40 pm

War Eagle were you alive when that Joe T was a player? Seems to me he was pretty dang good O-linemen, and he is going to be a beast in the weight room

WinderDogg

December 3rd, 2010
1:40 pm

I thought AuBarn was a two-year school to get into Alabama…picked up Associates in Mechanical Tractor-Trailer Driving

Bulldawg Richie

December 3rd, 2010
1:40 pm

Sounds like a good move to me. Sometimes you just need to shake things up a little.

Snoop Dawg

December 3rd, 2010
1:41 pm

Well, he’s had almost 30 yrs to push and motivate players…based upon the field performance, its justifible why some dawg fans are pessimistic about this move. However, we should all give him a chance…but he’s on a short leash.

BD

December 3rd, 2010
1:42 pm

He sounds dumb as a sack of hammers

WDE

December 3rd, 2010
1:42 pm

In typical UGA fan fashion, you try to equate yourselves to Bama? As much as I hate the trailor-trash-from-T-town, they do have some recent success to boast about. Yall are worthless.

Old Dawg

December 3rd, 2010
1:43 pm

You know what guys. Defense wins games. Pure and simple. Just ask Coach Dooley. How many games did Erk Russell’s defense make the difference in winning or loosing. You can lift weights, run till your tongue hits the ground, but if your defense is a Swiss Cheese 3-4 against a freshman RB from South Carolina, a so-so offense from Florida or a big ol QB from Auburn you’re NOT gonna win. A 3-4 is a pro defense so linebackers can cover short passes and QBs don’t run. Newton ran! And, he beat us. Good for you Coach T. At least we know how hard you will work them and get their asses in shape.

Jeff

December 3rd, 2010
1:43 pm

Again…I want to beleive but we have always talked a good game…in fact, we talk a great game after the season and before the season- our problem is “the season”. Mat drills worked before- why not now? Could it possibly be the players lack of effort…..please no…say it cant be them??????????

Florida Dawg

December 3rd, 2010
1:43 pm

Oh…and about UGA Fan optimism… HELL YEAH! I will always believe in and support the GEORGIA BULLDOGS! No matter what happens, they always have the potential to beat anyone any given day! We wouldn’t be true GEORGIA fans if we didn’t support, love and bleed pride for the University of Georgia! Every year is an SEC Championship year and every year there’s a chance to play for a National Championsihp!

If you can’t handle the optimism go read the news about the economy! How bout them apples!

GO DAWGS! UGA FOR EVER! GLORY TO OLE GEORGIA!

Kyle

December 3rd, 2010
1:45 pm

here we go again….alot a great talk….but yet, probably the same results. Our problems are not coaches…our problems are players with a lack of effort and that are in trouble…its the people we recruit dummies!

WinderDogg

December 3rd, 2010
1:45 pm

WDE – Cam just stopped…wipe your nose…

Iowa corn fed Dawg

December 3rd, 2010
1:45 pm

Okay its time for Richt to go out and get some good ole corn fed boys for both offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage. Some real ugly hawg mollies!

WDE

December 3rd, 2010
1:46 pm

Maybe your bowl game will host a pregame ceremony honoring your 2008 Preseason National Championship.

Greg Talley (Ho)

December 3rd, 2010
1:46 pm

Since we brought back Coach T, let’s bring back my good friend Richard Bell

Greg Talley (Ho)

December 3rd, 2010
1:47 pm

Or how about we bring back…..The Swamp Fox Marion Campbell!

get real

December 3rd, 2010
1:47 pm

Rufus, please don’t embarrass yourself…his son was the QB….not him…if you don’t know more than this you must not be a dawg’s fan but an imposter.

Greg Talley (Ho)

December 3rd, 2010
1:47 pm

Let’s bring back…….Coach Pyburn