Strength & Conditioning Staff Re-Organized

FOOTBALL

Coach Mark Richt will implement a reorganization of his strength and conditioning and administrative staffs that will take effect January 1.

Joe Tereshinksi, former player and long-time strength and conditioning assistant and video coordinator, will take over as director of the strength program.  Current director Dave Van Halanger, who came with Richt from Florida State, has been named Administrative Assistant to the Head Coach.

“Joe has had a hand in Georgia’s strength and conditioning program for nearly 30 years,” said Richt. “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 will oversee and/or work with programs that will include character education, a new mentor program, former student-athlete development, 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 ten years,” said Richt.  “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.”

Tereshinski, starting center on the 1975 and ’76 Bulldog teams, has been a part of the Georgia athletic staff since 1982 when he joined the Bulldogs as an Assistant Offensive Line, Special Teams, and Strength Coach.  He has also served as Assistant Strength Coach and Administrative Assistant to the Head Coach (1985-86) and since 1987 has held the position of Assistant Strength Coach and Video Coordinator. 

In his role as assistant strength coach, Tereshinski has worked individually with numerous former Georgia and NFL players including Garrison Hearst, Bill Goldberg, John Brantley, Eric Zeier, Knox Culpepper, Jon Stinchcomb, and Hines Ward.

Under Richt Tereshinski has also coordinated the walk-on program, summer camps, and the annual football gala.  He has a long family history with the Bulldogs.  His father, Joe Tereshinski, Sr., played at UGA in 1942, ‘45, and ’46.  His brother, Wally, lettered as a Bulldog in 1976-77, and his son, Joe III, lettered as a Bulldog quarterback in 2004, ’05, ’06.  His youngest son, John, was a football letterman at Wake Forest.