Goodyear focused on making impact as Director of Strength and Conditioning
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – When Charlie Goodyear became the Huntingdon football team's strength and conditioning coach in 2005, he had a plan for where he wanted the program to be.
As the Hawks' offensive line coach, Goodyear knew the team needed strength and conditioning as a foundation to develop mental and physical strength as well as durability. His goal was to develop a strong program that would train, challenge and mentor the players.
In 2012, when Goodyear took on the role of Huntingdon College's Director of Strength and Conditioning, he spread his plan to all of the Hawks' athletic programs.
For 10 years, Goodyear has motivated and trained in a dual role, as a football coach and strength and conditioning coach. Now, for the first time since coming to Huntingdon, Goodyear has stepped away from football and is focusing solely on strength and conditioning.
"The opportunity to focus on training our athletes full time is exciting," Goodyear said. "I know the impact this will have upon the culture of our entire athletic department."
Goodyear, who became the Hawks' second offensive line coach in 2004, is one of three coaches (along with head coach Mike Turk and defensive coordinator Steven Hicks) who have been part of all 70 wins in the football program's history.
"Charlie and I have been working together for the last 14 years," Turk said of his time with Goodyear on the football staffs at Huntingdon and Troy University. "While we're losing him in one capacity, we're retaining him in another. It's a big deal for the athletic department. His availability to help all of the sports, like he has helped football in the weight room is immeasurable.
"When it's all said and done, it's the best thing for him and the best thing for the Huntingdon athletic department."
Goodyear's offensive linemen routinely set the tone for one of the top offenses in Division III. Since 2009, the Hawks have twice led Division III in total offense per game, including what was then a Division III record with 585.8 yards per game in 2013.
He's helped produce three South Region offensive linemen, four All-Conference selections in two seasons in the USA South, three All-Conference performers in one season in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and 11 All-Academic selections in the USA South.
"The decision to step away from coaching football was challenging, but was an obvious choice for me both personally and professionally," Goodyear said. "I am appreciative that our administration understands the value of my role, and has taken a progressive stance toward the development of our student-athletes."
Former Huntingdon player and assistant coach Ben Ganus rejoined the staff in the spring and will replace Goodyear as the offensive line coach. Also joining the football staff this season are offensive assistant Tim Conner and linebackers coach Bill Ross.
Ganus, who was a four-year player for the Hawks and a member of the 2009 playoff team, coached with the Hawks in 2012 and 2013 before spending the 2014 season as an assistant at Methodist University. He spent two seasons as the running backs and fullbacks coach at Waldorf College before joining the Huntingdon coaching staff in 2012.
Conner joined the Hawks in January after two seasons as an assistant at Marietta College. Conner coached running backs and fullbacks during the 2013 season and was the receivers coach and assistant recruiting coordinator in 2014. A 2011 Maryville College graduate, where he also played quarterback, Conner coached running backs and fullbacks for one season at Centre College.
Ross came to Huntingdon in April from New Mexico Military Institute, where he spent one season as the linebackers coach. In 2013, he served as a student-assistant at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. A native of Wetumpka, Ross was an All-American linebacker for Arkansas-Pine Bluff and was the Defensive MVP for the Golden Lions' 2012 SWAC championship team.