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| Photo: Melissa Howard |
Slow, sluggish, out-of-shape, and whipped at the line of scrimmage were kind adjectives used to describe the play of the line, on both sides of the ball, because the deficiencies were so frighteningly apparent that other team's players started to make fun of Georgia's guys because they simply weren't posing any type of challenge to the opposition in the second-half of games.
Well, Richt finally saw the light and, change to the strength and conditioning program came in December 2010 when Georgia's longtime strength guy, Dave Van Halanger, was ushered out of the weight room—into a cushy office to focus on other aspects of the Georgia football program (i.e. keeping players out of jail and focused in the classroom)–and video coordinator, Joe Tereshinski Jr., took on the challenge of making over the strength program the 'Georgia Way'.
The results were immediate.
While some players weren't feeling the changes and sought transfers, others gravitated towards the challenge and became better players as a result.
That said, there are still many who question how much better the Dawgs truly are when they could be thrown about by the likes of LSU and Michigan State, didn't beat one Top 10 opponent, and still struggled mightily against the likes of Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Vanderbilt (all programs that have struggled to stay comfortably above .500 over the last three seasons).
Well, I'm inclined to buy into the notion that while change is good, it can't all happen in one fell swoop. 2012 is the year that Joe Tereshinksi's critics can officially start bringing out their magnifying glasses and making notes on their respective clipboards because 2012 will net Tereshinski two full full off-seasons under Tereshinki's watchful eye.
As for coach Richt, he's happy with the results thus far and he's already made it clear that the way things were set-up in 2011 is the way they shall remain for 2012.
I'm sure that won't come as good news for those who are still highly disappointed with the second-half collapses the team suffered in their last two games but, in Tereshinski's defense, all of that cannot be attributed to poor conditioning.
There were numerous breakdowns in execution on offense, defense, and special teams, and all contributed mightily to those final losses. And for all the ribbing the elder statesman has received for his methods and overall approach to his new job, there can be no question that he's taken the challenge of rebuilding the strength program seriously and the players under his care have either taken that challenge on or found the 'exit' door of the Butts-Mehre building.
2012 will be the true measure of how far this strength program will go under Joe Tereshinki's leadership and he'll have plenty of new blood eager to see what he can do.
