Former Tennessee Vols Assistant Departs Florida Gators After Brief Stint
Craig Fitzgerald, former Vols strength and conditioning coach, joined the Florida Gators earlier this offseason, replacing Mark Hocke. However, just five weeks into his tenure, Fitzgerald has decided to leave Gainesville to take the same position at Boston College, where Bill O’Brien was recently appointed as head coach. Fitzgerald and O’Brien have a long history of working together, dating back to their time in Houston and Penn State.
In a statement, Fitzgerald expressed his mixed emotions about leaving Florida, acknowledging the program’s bright future and the dedication of its players and staff, while also expressing his excitement to reunite with O’Brien at Boston College.
Florida head coach Billy Napier thanked Fitzgerald for his contributions during his short time with the Gators, highlighting his professionalism and positive impact on the team. Napier recognized that such decisions are part of the coaching profession and emphasized the importance of relationships in the game.
Fitzgerald previously served as Tennessee’s head strength and conditioning coach from 2018 to 2019 before joining the New York Giants from 2020 to 2023.
The departure of Fitzgerald leaves Florida in search of a new strength and conditioning coach during a crucial phase of the offseason, where strength training plays a pivotal role.
