Tennessee Football Finalizes Sports Performance Staff Under Derek Owings
The foundation for Tennessee football’s next chapter of physical and mental edge is officially in place. Head coach Josh Heupel announced the completion of the program’s revamped sports performance staff, led by newly hired Director of Football Sports Performance Derek Owings. And if the names on this list are any indication, the Vols are going all-in on building a championship-caliber support system behind the scenes.
Owings steps into the role after a wildly successful two-year stint at Indiana, where he helped guide the Hoosiers to a 27-2 record, back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, a Big Ten title, and the school’s first-ever national championship - all capped off by a perfect 16-0 run in 2025. Now, he brings that pedigree to Knoxville, assembling a staff that blends championship experience, SEC familiarity, and forward-thinking performance science.
Let’s break down the new additions to Tennessee’s performance staff:
Carl Miller - Associate Director of Football Sports Performance
Miller reunites with Owings after serving as Indiana’s assistant athletic performance coach during the Hoosiers’ historic 2024 and 2025 seasons. His familiarity with Owings’ system and firsthand experience developing a title-winning roster will be key as Tennessee looks to elevate its physical preparation.
Jason Wooding - Associate Director of Football Sports Performance
Wooding brings a steady hand and plenty of Big Ten and Big 12 experience to the table. Over the last five seasons, he was Maryland’s associate director of football strength and conditioning, and before that, he held a similar role at Texas Tech. His tenure in two Power Five conferences gives him a broad understanding of what it takes to compete at a high level, both in the weight room and on the field.
Elijah Blackman - Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance
Blackman has been building his resume across several major programs, most recently at Kansas State from 2023 to 2025. He’s no stranger to the SEC either, having cut his teeth as a grad assistant at Arkansas and as an intern at South Carolina. That kind of conference familiarity is invaluable, especially when it comes to tailoring training regimens to the physical demands of SEC football.
Drew Painter - Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance
Painter’s connection to Owings goes back to his playing days. A former tight end at James Madison from 2018 to 2022, he trained under Owings before transitioning into coaching.
He spent the last two seasons as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Baylor, after starting as an intern in 2023. His firsthand experience as a player gives him a unique perspective on athlete development - he knows what it’s like to be in the grind.
Josh Huff - Director of Applied Performance Science
Huff is another key piece from Indiana’s title run, where he served as the Hoosiers’ sports science coordinator. His role in Tennessee will focus on the data-driven side of performance - think GPS tracking, workload monitoring, and recovery analytics. In today’s game, where marginal gains can separate contenders from pretenders, Huff’s expertise could be a major asset.
Katie O’Connor - Director of Football Nutrition
O’Connor brings over eight years of experience in team nutrition, including five in leadership roles. Most recently, she was Kansas football’s director of nutrition from late 2023 through the 2025 season.
She’s also logged time at LSU, Georgia Southern, and Florida State, where she earned her master’s degree. Her track record speaks for itself: she knows how to fuel elite athletes and build sustainable, performance-focused nutrition programs.
Why This Matters for Tennessee
This isn’t just a routine reshuffling of staff - it’s a strategic overhaul aimed at building a competitive edge from the inside out. Owings and his team don’t just bring resumes; they bring results. With multiple hires coming from programs that have recently played (and won) at the highest level, Tennessee is signaling that it’s serious about taking the next step.
The Vols have talent on the field, but winning in the SEC and beyond requires more than just stars on the roster. It takes a full commitment to development - physical, mental, and nutritional - and this new performance staff is designed to deliver exactly that.
As spring ball approaches, all eyes will be on how this group integrates into Heupel’s fast-paced system. But if their track record is any indication, the Vols just added a serious boost to their behind-the-scenes horsepower.