Head coach Curt Cignetti, known for his “Google me” statement, is coming off a historic 11-win season in his first year with the Hoosiers. He always recognized the untapped potential of the school, and he had faith in his players. It’s not just about the talent on the field and the success in the transfer portal; it’s also about his impressive coaching staff. One standout member is Derek Owings, the strength & conditioning coach for the Hoosiers. Every time you marvel at Kurtis Rourke’s impressive touchdown plays, you should thank Owings for his work. As we head into 2025, the key architect behind the rugged physicality and resilience of the Hoosiers, Derek, is facing a significant career opportunity, as USC and Lincoln Riley are increasingly interested in him.
Owings worked alongside the Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti at James Madison, where he was the director of strength & conditioning for football from 2020 to 2023 before following Cignetti to Bloomington. The duo has marked a brilliant success over 2024, maintaining a flurry of players’ stupendous athleticism. But guess what, Lincoln Riley’s eagle eyes didn’t unsee the progress Derek has made in his spot. So, how about a swooping?
Indiana’s Derek Owings has emerged as a target for the head strength and conditioning coach job at USC, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
One of the top rising star strength coaches in the nation and has been a key figure behind the scenes for Curt Cignetti at Indiana and JMU.… pic.twitter.com/aBT0QaCZJ9
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) May 2, 2025
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