Tennessee’s biggest win of the Early Signing Period didn’t even involve a high school prospect, it involved a strength coach.

As odd as that may sound, it’s true as Tennessee is going to keep Craig Fitzgerald on staff despite overtures from his Maryland alma mater, according to Chris Low of ESPN. Not only is Fitzgerald recognized as one of the top strength coaches in the nation but he’s been highly successful at the NFL level, too.

While Tennessee may have been able to find a suitable replacement for Fitzgerald, although there’s no guarantee that would have occurred, the Volunteer program is on its fourth strength coach in as many seasons. Having some continuity at that position is critical for Jeremy Pruitt and his program moving forward to have the kind of success the Vols plan to have under their first-year coach.

For anyone underrating the strength coach position, keep in mind that next to Nick Saban, the man most credit for Alabama’s historic success is strength coach Scott Cochran. He plays that big of a role in Tuscaloosa and Fitzgerald has begun to show how valuable he can be for the Vols after only one season on campus.

After several years of devastating injury and devastating injury, Tennessee — with a depleted roster, no less — had its least amount of injuries in several seasons.

While Tennessee is likely to get some good news in the coming weeks on the recruiting trail, this win may be more important than all those other victories combined.