After helping build Indiana’s national championship-winning program alongside Curt Cignetti over the past two seasons, Derek Owings is on his way to Rocky Top to help reinvigorate the Vols’ strength and conditioning culture in Knoxville.
On Tuesday, Tennessee announced the hiring of Owings as the program’s new director of football sports performance. Owings has been alongside Cignetti for the past six years at both JMU and Indiana, leading both programs to impressive results with its players on and off the field.
“Coach Owings and the strength staff here got me up from I think 205, 210 to now a low of where I need to weigh in and weigh-ins every week at 225,” Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza said in January. “With that, I’ve been able to put on good weight where I’m able to run and I’m able to still be fluid in my movements. Whenever the team needs me to run, I can always run.”
Excitement is high for Owings to establish his culture, routine, and mindset with the Tennessee Football program. The Vols held a team meeting with Owings on Tuesday morning and held their first workout with him at the helm on Wednesday.
day one in the lab 🧪#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/KS8Ze4vCcc
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) January 21, 2026
After a whirlwind stretch that saw Owings both win the national championship and begin workouts with Tennessee, the former Hoosiers coach made sure to thank everyone he worked with at Indiana. He penned a letter to his former program on social media on Wednesday afternoon:
“Hoosier Nation,
These last two years have been nothing short of incredible. Together, we experienced moments this program had never seen before. Many firsts in Indiana Football history, records broken, and standards raised. I will forever be proud of what we built.
Thank you to Coach Cig for believing in me and letting me be a part of this journey. Thank you to the staff for the effort you pour into these players every single day.
Most importantly, to the players. None of this happens without you. Everything I did was about helping you become the best players and people possible. I will always be your biggest fan, and I’ll always be one phone call away. The logo may change, but the bonds we built never will. Love y’all!!
God has blessed my family with incredible opportunities, and this was not an easy decision. After much thought and prayer, I’ve accepted the Head Stretch & Conditioning position at the University of Tennessee.
My time at Indiana is something I will never forget. The memories, the relationships, and the pride I feel in this program will stay with me forever.
Thank you, IU, for trusting me, pushing me, and welcoming my wife and me with open arms.
Now it’s time to give my all for Rocky Top!”
Thank you, IU. Thank you, Coach Cig for all the lessons over the last 6 years. To all the players, the hardest part of change is always leaving you guys. I’ll forever be your biggest fan, and I’m always one call away. #FastPhysicalRelentless pic.twitter.com/YSstzz2SVY
— Derek Owings (@owingsderek) January 21, 2026
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A classy message to a program and staff that has helped Owings get to where he’s at. The original report from 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz revealed that Tennessee will pay Owings a $1.2 million salary per year, making him the highest-paid strength and conditioning coach in the history of college football.
Let’s get after it, @owingsderek 🤝#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/dJRjrjtnAG
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) January 21, 2026
