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Beloved strength coach Dave Van Halanger dies

Van Halanger followed Mark Richt to Georgia when Richt left Florida State to become the Bulldogs’ head coach in December of 2000. Van Halanger had been with the Seminoles and coach Bobby Bowden since 1983.

“Dave’s positive attitude was very contagious,” Richt said Monday. “He was a big part of our success at Georgia.

Van Halanger brought with him the early-morning, off-season conditioning regimen that combined intense cardiovascular exercises with team-building elements. Richt credited Van Halanger’s “mat drills for the turnaround that resulted in Georgia’s first SEC Championship in 20 years in 2002

“Rest In Peace, Coach Van,” former Georgia player Justin Anderson wrote. “This was one of the best men I’ve ever have the pleasure of meeting and being around. He motivated me so much in college.”

A former West Virginia offensive lineman and team captain, Van Halanger was part of two national championships at FSU and three SEC championships at Georgia. He was named national strength coach of the year in 1993 and ‘99 and was inducted into the strength coach Hall of Fame in 2003.

Van Halanger is survived by his wife, Michele, and children Danielle, Michael, Matthew, Julie and Katelyn.

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Sebrina Pilcher

Update: 2024-05-04