With the addition of veteran NFL strength coach Rock Gullickson to the Tennessee athletics program, no one can doubt the Volunteers’ commitment to being one of the best conditioned programs in the country.

According to Rhiannon Potkey of the Knoxville News Sentinel, Gullickson, who spent the last 16 seasons working in the NFL, will make $375,000 annually, a salary typical of a position coach. Among strength coaches, he’s now tied for seventh nationally and third in the SEC.

Nationally, Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle has the highest salary among his peers at $625,204. Right behind Doyle is Alabama’s Scott Cochran who makes $525,000 annually. Just ahead of Gullickson in the SEC is South Carolina strength coach Jeff Dillman, who checks in at No. 5 nationally with a salary of $400,000. Ole Miss strength coach Paul Jackson also makes $375,000. The next-highest paid SEC strength coach is Missouri’s Rohrk Cutchlow with a salary of $360,000.

The Vols are making a significant increase in their commitment to strength and conditioning. Dave Lawson, the former director of strength and conditioning, made $200,000 per year prior to his departure in April.