Kolodziej named new football strength and conditioning coach

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Ross Kolodziej was named the Pitt football strength and conditioning coach Wednesday afternoon, according to a press release from the football program. Kolodziej replaces Todd Rice, who resigned from the position Dec. 20, 2013.

“I’m honored to be given this responsibility by coach Chryst,” Kolodziej said. “We have a sense of urgency to build upon the momentum from our bowl victory. That starts in the weight room this winter.”

Like Chryst, Kolodziej is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin, where he started 45 games as a defensive tackle from 1997 to 2000. Kolodziej currently holds records in the Badgers program for a defensive player in the squat, clean, 40-yard dash, vertical jump and pro-agility drill.

Chryst spoke highly of the selection.

“The 2014 season starts on Thursday when we begin our offseason training program, and I’m excited that Ross will be leading this very important area,” Chryst said. “This is a well-earned opportunity for him and I know he is going to make a significant impact.”

Kolodziej was drafted in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and played seven seasons in the NFL for the Giants, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals. He started 14 games on the Cardinals’ top-10 defense in 2005.

Kolodziej also spent two seasons in the United Football League and captained the Las Vegas Locomotives teams that won league championships in 2009 and 2010.

Kolodziej’s hiring follows a season in which Pitt dealt with a number of injuries that kept wide receiver Devin Street, left tackle Adam Bisnowaty and left guard Cory King out of action. On the offensive line, Bisnowaty and King missed games because of back injuries.

At Wisconsin, Kolodziej was a full-time strength and conditioning intern in the 2009 offseason. The next year, he worked with the Badgers as a defensive graduate assistant.

Kolodziej said that it is the coaches’ responsibility to maximize players’ abilities and opportunities at Pitt.

“They may think they know what work is, but we’re going to put them in the furnace this offseason,” he said.“The great thing is our kids have told me they want to work and be pushed. It’s that kind of desire that produces results on and off the field.”