How Steve Spurrier, boldness and an Uber driver helped Vols strength coach Craig Fitzgerald rise

Tennessee strength coach Craig Fitzgerald broke into the Southeastern Conference by being "cheap and available." Now, he's one of the most respected in his profession Tennessee strength coach Craig Fitzgerald broke into the Southeastern Conference by being "cheap and available." Now, he's one of the most respected in his profession

By David Cobb September 19, 2018 7 min read

KNOXVILLE – Steve Spurrier helped build the Tennessee-Florida rivalry into one of September’s marquee college football games, and though it’s been 17 years since Spurrier roamed the Gators’ sideline, he will still have an imprint on Saturday’s meeting of the SEC East foes.

Nearly a decade ago, Spurrier took a chance on a strength and conditioning coach who is now playing a key role in Jeremy Pruitt’s effort to rebuild the Tennessee program.

The early progress of that rebuild will be measured Saturday night when Tennessee (2-1) hosts Florida (2-1) at Neyland Stadium.

Craig Fitzgerald was four years in to overseeing strength and conditioning for 41 sports at Harvard when the strength coach position came open on Spurrier’s staff at South Carolina after the 2008 season.

KNOXVILLE, TN – MARCH 20, 2018 – Director of Football Strength and Conditioning Craig Fitzgerald during Spring practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tennessee Athletics

Fitzgerald pried Spurrier’s phone number from a friend, called the coach and told him he could be at South Carolina that night for an interview.