New Tennessee Director of Football Sports Performance Derek Owings sat down with Volunteers broadcaster Mike Keith last week, discussing his vision and expectations for his new squad in 2026.
New Tennessee Director of Football Sports Performance Derek Owings sat down with Volunteers broadcaster Mike Keith last week, discussing his vision and expectations for his new squad in 2026.
Owings, who played an integral part in Indiana’s historic 16-0 championship season in 2025 as head strength and conditioning coach, was brought onto Josh Heupel’s staff on Jan. 20 in a similar role.
Since touching down on Rocky Top, Owings has made it his mission to elevate Tennessee to consistent national championship contenders for the foreseeable future. Owings stressed the importance of building personal connection with his players and has hosted every member of the roster for a sit-down meeting since his arrival.
In the brief pre-spring camp time that Owings has spent with Tennessee, he and his strength team have worked diligently to establish the foundation of his program, but acknowledged that the journey has only just begun.
“You never have enough time,” Owings said about laying the framework before camp. “We made sure [the players] understood what the expectations were… but that will be an evolving process as we go…The culture is definitely not set to where my expectations are, but we've made a good improvement here in six weeks.”
Owings made it clear that in order for players to succeed in his strength and conditioning system, they must be fully committed and “buy in” to his program. Boasting fresh championship experience and a 2025 Football Scoop Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year honor, Owings' achievements speak for themselves, helping to earn the allegiance of his players.
“Winning a national championship and coming here helps buy in,” Owings told Keith.
Pushing his players to become stronger, faster and athletically superior to any and all opponents, Owings cares more about results and gameday successes than personal lifting feats in weight room training sessions.
“Our job is to win football games,” the coach said. “We don't get wins based on how many guys can bench press 400 pounds… What we do in [the weight room] enhances them for Saturday.”
Following the blueprint of successful previous ventures at James Madison and Indiana, cultivating a physical identity is key to Owings strength and conditioning philosophy.
“If you're faster, physical, more violent and you understand the scheme better, you'll be a better football player,” Owings said.
Asked what he wants and expects from his players this season and going forward, Owings did not stutter.
“Be relentless and be a competitor,” Owings said. “As long as you work hard and do what I ask, I’ll take care of the rest.”
As for the accountability and analytical components of his program, Owings and his staff “constantly track” the weights and improvements of their athletes, as a means to set goals and ensure optimal performance. The reigning national champion strength coach has seen positive results from Volunteers in his program before spring camp has even begun.
“We’ve had a lot of guys that have added 15 pounds of muscle in a 6 1/2-week training block,” Owings said.
When spring practice kicks off on March. 16, Owings and staff will continue to push their players to be great and reach their full potential not just physically, but mentally as well.
“The No. 1 thing we’re trying to build is a mindset of ‘we need to win and we need to be more dominant play-in, play-out,’” Owings stated. “We are different dudes…this is SEC, this is Tennessee football, and we're here to punch you in the mouth.”