Just In: Vols Director of Sports Performance Artis Heading To USF

AJ Artis replaced Craig’s Fitzgerald in 2020 as Tennessee’s Head Strength and Conditioning coach but he is now on the move. 

"A.J. understands the standard we expect in this role and will continue to push our strength and conditioning efforts to the forefront of college football," Pruitt said at the time. "Since he first joined our staff in 2018, he has helped instill physical and mental toughness in our program through his contagious energy, hard work and innovation. Our players have tremendous respect for him, and I have no doubt they will continue to develop under his mentorship."

VR2 on SI has learned that Artis will take the same title as South Florida. The news was first reported by Austin Price.

One source indicated that Artis’s philosophies did not line up with Heupel’s. Artis also entertained other job opportunities this off-season.

Artis was making 200,000 dollars a year. 

Artis was widely respected by the Tennessee locker room. Heupel has already made several moves on the strength staff and he will opt to hire in-house with Kurt Schmidt already in place. Smith will be the Vols fourth strength coach in five years. He has worked with Heupel at his last two stops. 

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