Head strength and conditioning coach Lewis Caralla is leaving UB after one season to be the head strength coach at Georgia Tech, Caralla announced Thursday on Twitter.
It will be Caralla’s third job in three years. Caralla, who joined the Bulls last Jan. 19, brought new enthusiasm to the Buffalo weight room and field with his highly energetic style.
“I’m extremely thankful for this past season at Buffalo,” Caralla wrote on Twitter. “The relationships made will last forever! I truly love all of the players I coached! My family and I are excited for this great opportunity.”
Caralla encouraged the Bulls through his social media use to create a competitive atmosphere on and off the field. He rewarded or punished strength groups at the end of each week for their performances.
On June 25, Caralla posted a video of sophomore wide receiver Jovany Ruiz doing nordic hamstring curls on @UBFballStrength. The viral video has over 6.6 million views.
His unorthodox style in the weight room made the Bulls excited to lift day in and day out. Caralla is best known for yelling “We get to lift tomorrow” in the locker room after a win.
“I’m always trying to think of different ways to reach the kids, different ways to excite them,” Caralla told The Spectrum in September. “I know they didn't sign their letter of intent to lift weights here. It's my job to think of ways to make them love lifting weights. It could be a real difference maker in your program if you have that.”
Buffalo is now searching for its third strength coach in three years. UB officials have not yet released a statement.
Nathaniel Mendelson is the senior sports editor and can be reached at nathaniel.mendelson@ubspectrum.com and on Twitter @NateMendelson
