Tennessee football is making a strong offseason statement with the addition of Derek Owings as the program’s new director of football sports performance. For a team that’s been steadily climbing under Josh Heupel’s leadership, this hire signals a continued commitment to building not just a talented roster, but a physically dominant one.
Owings arrives in Knoxville with a résumé that speaks volumes. Most recently, he led Indiana’s athletic performance program from 2024 to 2025 - a tenure that included a national championship run last season.
That kind of success doesn’t happen without serious buy-in, a forward-thinking approach, and the ability to get the most out of athletes both physically and mentally. And that’s exactly what Tennessee’s betting on.
“Physical and mental toughness is paramount in everything we do year-round as a program,” Heupel said. “No one understands this better at a championship level than Derek.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Owings has carved out a reputation for blending cutting-edge training methods with a relentless mentality - the kind of approach that doesn’t just build muscle, but molds culture. Heupel pointed to Owings’ expertise in maximizing speed and strength while prioritizing injury prevention, a crucial piece in today’s high-tempo, physically demanding SEC landscape.
And it’s not just about the weight room. Owings brings a holistic view to performance, with a strong emphasis on nutrition and recovery - areas that often separate good programs from great ones when it comes to durability and long-term player development.
Before his time at Indiana, Owings built a strong foundation across several programs. He was the director of strength and conditioning at James Madison from 2020 to 2023, helping the Dukes establish themselves as one of the more physical teams at the Group of Five level. Prior to that, he held key roles at Texas Tech, UCF, and Utah State, working his way up the ladder and gaining experience in a variety of systems and conferences.
He’s walked the walk too. Owings played wide receiver at Eastern Michigan before transitioning to tight end at Mercer - a journey that gives him a unique perspective on what players go through at multiple positions. That player-first mindset is something Heupel clearly values, especially when it comes to building trust and accountability in the locker room.
With Owings now on board, Tennessee’s offseason gains go beyond the weight room. This is about setting the tone for a program that wants to be known not just for its offensive firepower, but for its toughness, resilience, and staying power deep into the season.
The Vols aren’t just looking to compete - they’re building to contend. And with Owings leading the charge in the performance department, they just got a whole lot closer.