Story by
Why new Tennessee football strength coach is likely highest paid in nation
- Story by
- Why new Tennessee football strength coach is likely highest paid in nation
Tennessee will pay new football strength coach Derek Owings about $1.2 million per year, likely making him the highest paid at his position in college football.
UT announced Owings' hire on Jan. 20, giving him the official title of director of football sports performance. He signed a three-year contract, which UT provided to Knox News.
Advertisement
However, Owings signed the deal with Tennessee on Jan. 13, six days before Indiana beat Miami 27-21 in the national title game with him on the sideline.
"Tennessee is one of the most iconic brands in college football," Owings said in a UT release. "I'm thankful to Coach (Josh) Heupel for believing in me, and I can't wait to serve this program, this staff and most importantly, these players on Rocky Top."
Owings will be the third-highest paid coach on Josh Heupel's staff , behind only defensive coordinator Jim Knowles ($2 million) and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle ($1.45 million). It demonstrates a philosophy change for Heupel, whose team struggled in terms of physicality in its five losses in the 2025 season.
How Derek Owings compares to highest paid strength coaches
Strength coach pay rises each year just like all college football coaches, and salaries at private universities are not available to the public. But Owings' pay is higher than other recent leaders at his position.
Advertisement
Oklahoma State's Rob Glass was the highest-paid strength coach in 2025 at $1.1 million, but he was demoted to a different position in December. Ohio State 's Mickey Marotti was paid about $1 million in 2025, and Alabama 's David Ballou got $950,000.
Owings was already among the highest-paid strength coaches , earning $925,000 at Indiana in 2025.
Tennessee more than doubled strength coach pay to hire Owings
Owings' UT predecessor, Kurt Schmidt , was paid $475,000 annually. Schmidt's contract was set to expire on Jan. 31, and he was not retained.
Schmidt and Owings worked together at UCF in 2018 during Heupel's first season as head coach. Schmidt was the head strength coach, and Owings was an assistant.
Advertisement
Schmidt had worked with Heupel at Missouri in 2017. He followed him to UCF (2018-20) and ultimately Tennessee (2021-25). Owings left UCF after the 2018 season for Texas Tech (2019-20), and then he became strength coach at James Madison (2020-23) under coach Curt Cignetti.
"Physical and mental toughness is paramount in everything we do year-round as a program. No one understands this better at a championship level than Derek," Heupel said in a statement. "He will elevate our strength and conditioning program with a relentless mindset and forge strong relationships with our players. He has a proven track record of utilizing modern training methods to maximize speed and strength, while specializing in injury prevention.
"He also understands what it takes to build an elite nutrition program to ensure our players are set up for on-field success and durability. We are thrilled to welcome Derek and his wife, Riley, to Rocky Top!"
Owings followed Cignetti to Indiana in 2024. In the past two seasons, the Hoosiers went to the 2024 College Football Playoff and won the 2025 CFP national title, beating Miami 27-21 on Jan. 19.
Advertisement
Owings arrived at Tennessee on Jan. 20, when UT classes began for the spring semester. Offseason workouts under Owings will start on Jan. 21.
Here are contract details for Josh Heupel coaching staff
Heupel turned over a large portion of his coaching staff this offseason, which required an investment on UT's part.
On Dec. 11, Heupel hired veteran defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. On Jan. 2, Heupel hired former Penn State co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter (co-defensive coordinator/secondary), former Penn State assistant Andrew Jackson (edge rushers) and former Ohio State assistant Michael Hunter Jr. (cornerbacks). Defensive line coach Rodney Garner got a two-year contract extension, and linebackers coach William Inge was also retained.
Advertisement
Heupel retained his entire offensive coaching staff, recently giving raises and contract extensions to offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope .
Here are the updated contract details with 2026 salary for Heupel and his staff.
-
Josh Heupel (head coach): $9 million through January 2030
-
Jim Knowles (defensive coordinator): $2 million through January 2029
-
Joey Halzle (offensive coordinator/QBs): $1.45 million through January 2028
-
Derek Owings (strength coach): $1.2 million through 2029
-
Rodney Garner (defensive line): $1 million through January 2028
-
Glen Elarbee (offensive line): $900,000 through January 2028
-
William Inge (linebackers): $795,000 through January 2027
-
Kelsey Pope (wide receivers): $800,000 through January 2028
-
Anthony Poindexter (safeties): $805,000 through January 2028
-
De'Rail Sims (running backs): $425,000 through January 2027
-
Andrew Jackson (edge rushers): $375,000 through January 2028
-
Alec Abeln (tight ends): $375,000 through January 2027
-
Evan Crabtree (special teams): $250,000 through January 2028
-
Michael Hunter Jr. (cornerbacks): $225,000 through January 2028
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football strength coach Derek Owings contract details
