Strength staff reorganizes
January 20, 2009 | General News
A re-organization of the strength and conditioning staff in the UW Department of Athletics will include a change in responsibilities for the unit's director and put in place a new head strength and conditioning coach for the Badger football program, associate athletic director Sean Frazier announced.
John Dettmann, the football team's head strength and conditioning coach for the past 19 seasons, will continue to serve in his role as head of the strength and conditioning staff. Dettmann will oversee the entire strength and conditioning operation.
Ben Herbert, a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter on the defensive line for the Badgers from 1998-01, will take over as the head strength and conditioning coach for the football team. Herbert has been with the staff since the fall of 2002 when he started as an intern. He was promoted to assistant strength and conditioning coach in February of 2003.
'This move for John has been in the works for a couple years,' Frazier said. 'The operational model in our strength and conditioning unit will now be consistent with the models we have in other support units in the department.'
Dettmann just finished his 19th season as the head strength and conditioning coach for football. He is in his 17th year as the department's director of strength and conditioning.
'This is something I've been thinking about for quite some time and something I'm very excited about,' Dettmann said. 'Over the years, it has become increasingly difficult to manage the strength and conditioning program across the board, while still remaining the primary strength coach for the football team. This move will allow me to do a better job of overseeing our whole program. I've known Ben Herbert since he played here 10 years ago. He loves the program here and will do an outstanding job. I'm excited for him and I know he's anxious to get started.'
Herbert expressed enthusiasm for his new role.
'I am very excited about this opportunity,' Herbert said. 'I 'd like to thank Sean Frazier and Coach Dettmann for having faith in me and putting me in this position. I'm looking forward to working with the players this offseason and in the coming seasons.'
Head football coach Bret Bielema praised both Dettmann and Herbert.
'John was tremendously helpful during my transition time as a head coach and he will obviously continue to be a great resource overseeing his unit,' Bielema said. 'Ben brings great energy and passion to the job and I know our players are excited about working with him. He will help us continue to have what I believe is the best strength and conditioning staff in the country.'
