Strength & Conditioning Coach Matt Balis Not Returning

[BNich]

ThisIsUConnCountry ‏@MattSchonvisky 40s40 seconds ago
BREAKING: Doesn't look like S&C Coach Matt Balis will be returning to #UConnFootball as job posting is up for that position

I wonder who Edsall has in mind.

 

[Huskyforlife]

NEWS!? Can't be...

 

[CL82]

After seeing our guys getting muscled and blown by on the line for the last 3 years, I think this is a good move.

 

[uconnphil2016]

After seeing our guys getting muscled and blown by on the line for the last 3 years, I think this is a good move.

Agreed. we were too bulky and too slow. Balis wasnt worth the hype. interested to see where he ends up, hope he does well elsewhere (unless we play against his next program)

 

[HobokenHusky]

The Balis era produced a molotov cocktail of slow weenies. Next.

 

[Papadukes]

Who cares they will get jobs and be very successful. I don't think they will work with Bob again. I'm not knocking the thread but can't wait for new staff to be filled and get back to work. Go Huskies

 

[bigAbruns]

Good riddance, now we can see this team actually be explosive at the snap

 

[mrhandyman]

Who was the S&C guy who was there with Edsall and helped design a lot of the equipment?

 

[Exit 4]

They should avoid this guy:

 

[BNich]

Who was the S&C guy who was there with Edsall and helped design a lot of the equipment?

Jerry Martin, I believe, who sadly passed away last year.

 

[CoachUConn]

Who was the S&C guy who was there with Edsall and helped design a lot of the equipment?

Jerry Martin, passed away a few years ago sadly.

 

[uconnphil2016]

We're eliminating the position. from hwre on out our players will be working out solely via shake weights

 

[weyuo]

gee, you need some kind of stability during regime changes. Balis leaving throws the off season conditioning work into turmoil for the kids where all they have to do is redirect the focus more on speed and agility and less on mass and power. Hoping that Edsall has a home run hitter in line there.

 

[Confident Carl]

Agreed. we were too bulky and too slow. Balis wasnt worth the hype. interested to see where he ends up, hope he does well elsewhere (unless we play against his next program)

I understand that the team looked slow but not sure that can be attributed to Matt Balis's strength training.

Here is a video of Matt in action at Mississippi State. Pretty impressive.




This youtube has some pretty positive comments from the players:




I am cool with cleaning house and starting anew but Matt really helped improve the strength of the players and
his efforts will hopefully pay off for the returning players.

 

[Colt house75]

He had some explosive teams at Mississippi state .
Wish everyone the best.
Just want this poop to be over....⚰⚰

 

[freescooter]

This is a pretty standard change I think. S&C guy needs to be on the same page as the head coach just like the other assistants.

 

[huskymedic]

ThisIsUConnCountry ‏@MattSchonvisky 40s40 seconds ago
BREAKING: Doesn't look like S&C Coach Matt Balis will be returning to #UConnFootball as job posting is up for that position

I wonder who Edsall has in mind.

ThisIsUConnCountry ‏@MattSchonvisky 8m 8 minutes ago
Former #UConn strength coach Matt Balis already has a new gig & it's at Notre Dame-congrats to him

 

[noeynox]

ThisIsUConnCountry ‏@MattSchonvisky 8m 8 minutes ago
Former #UConn strength coach Matt Balis already has a new gig & it's at Notre Dame-congrats to him

I liked this guy. The lines both looked the part. We need speed.

 

[Adios]

That was quick and also to an AD with more money.

 

[CTMike]

Was he let go or did he leave for a better opportunity...

 

[huskymedic]

ThisIsUConnCountry ‏@MattSchonvisky 8m 8 minutes ago
Former #UConn strength coach Matt Balis already has a new gig & it's at Notre Dame-congrats to him

Irish Illustrated: Irish strength program to get major remake

>>Through sources, Irish Illustrated has learned two names expected to join the football program’s strength staff, in addition to the next role for long-time Kelly assistant Paul Longo, who’s been with Notre Dame’s head coach the past 13 seasons across three different programs.

After serving as Director of Football Strength and Conditioning, Longo will transition into the role of Special Assistant to the Head Coach, a title currently held by former defensive backs coach Bob Elliott. It’s unclear if Elliott, who helped craft Notre Dame’s defensive game plans against option the past two years will remain in that post or if Longo’s position will be a new one on top of the current staff.

As for Notre Dame football’s next strength team, the Irish will add Matt Balis as Director of Football Performance from the University of Connecticut, where he spent three years overseeing all programs. While Balis has a connection to former Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco via Storrs, his roots in the profession cut closer to Urban Meyer.<<

 

[gopher2]

Good riddance, now we can see this team actually be explosive at the snap

Re-watching some plays in slow motion/stop action you could clearly see sometimes 2 O-linemen still in their 3-point stances as the entire D-line began to attack the LOS. So I would definitely agree we lacked explosiveness, unless delayed movement by O-linemen is a some sort of advanced technique I am unfamiliar with.

 

[Jax Husky]

Fine with this. Results were less than impressive, regardless of whether or not the players liked him.

 

[noeynox]

Was he let go or did he leave for a better opportunity...

Many here didn't mind seeing him go I think. I started a thread about him. He was the only assistant I was hopeful we kept.

What about Balis?

 

[UConnJim]

I don't buy that strength and conditioning were the problem at UConn. Blocking schemes? Yes. Offensive play calling? Yes. Defensive schemes? Yes. Game coaching? Yes. Young team? Yes. S&C? No.