Missouri football will feature two familiar faces on its strength and conditioning staff this season, as former defensive back Tre’Vez Johnson and former linebacker Zaviar Gooden have been added as assistant directors of football athletic performance. The additions appeared in a newly updated version of the program’s online roster and were first reported by PowerMizzou, signaling another step in head coach Eli Drinkwitz’s ongoing effort to strengthen the infrastructure behind the Tigers’ recent on-field success.
The hires further reflect a growing trend within the Missouri program: reinvesting in former players who understand the culture, expectations, and demands of competing in the SEC. Both Johnson and Gooden bring firsthand experience as Tigers, and their additions reinforce a philosophy centered on continuity, accountability, and player development that has become a hallmark of Drinkwitz’s tenure.
Johnson’s presence around the program has not come as a surprise to those closely following Missouri football. He was frequently seen around the team throughout the 2025 season, though his role had not previously been publicly defined. His formal addition to the strength and conditioning staff clarifies his position within the program and underscores the staff’s trust in his ability to connect with players and contribute behind the scenes. Having recently completed his playing career, Johnson offers a unique bridge between the locker room and the coaching staff, particularly for younger players navigating the physical and mental demands of college football.
Gooden, meanwhile, brings a more established coaching résumé to Columbia. He joins Missouri after spending time at LSU, where he served as an assistant development coach beginning in 2022. Prior to that, he worked as a strength and conditioning coach at Southern California in 2021. His experience across multiple Power Five programs gives him a broad perspective on training methodologies, player development, and the evolving standards required to compete at the highest level of the sport. Returning to Missouri represents both a homecoming and an opportunity to apply lessons learned elsewhere to the program where his playing career began.
Gooden’s playing résumé at Missouri remains one of the most productive defensive careers in recent program history. From 2009 to 2012, he established himself as a cornerstone of the Tigers’ defense, compiling 256 total tackles over four seasons. His impact went beyond volume, as he recorded 20.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, five interceptions, and a forced fumble during his collegiate career. That production helped propel him to the NFL, where he was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. His path from standout college linebacker to professional athlete, and now back into the college ranks as a staff member, provides a powerful example for current players striving to reach the next level.
Johnson’s on-field contributions, while more recent and shorter in duration, also resonate within the program. After transferring from Florida, he spent the final two seasons of his college career at Missouri in 2023 and 2024. In that span, he recorded 64 total tackles, including two tackles for loss, along with one interception and two pass deflections. While his statistical output may not match that of long-tenured starters, Johnson was valued for his versatility, effort, and understanding of defensive schemes. Those traits now translate naturally into a support role focused on preparation, conditioning, and daily accountability.
The decision to add both former players to the strength and conditioning staff aligns closely with Drinkwitz’s broader vision for the program. Since arriving at Missouri, Drinkwitz has consistently emphasized the importance of physical development, durability, and buy-in from players. He has frequently credited the strength and conditioning staff as a foundational pillar of the team’s cultural and competitive growth, pointing to improved physicality and resilience as key factors in Missouri’s progress within the SEC.
By bringing in Johnson and Gooden, Missouri is doubling down on that philosophy. Strength and conditioning is often one of the most influential yet least visible aspects of a football program. The relationships built in the weight room and during offseason training often define how players respond to adversity, injuries, and the grind of a long season. Having staff members who have worn the same uniform, practiced on the same fields, and experienced the same pressures adds credibility and relatability that can be difficult to replicate.
Gooden’s presence, in particular, adds a layer of authority rooted in both experience and achievement. Players see someone who not only succeeded at Missouri but also advanced to the NFL and later developed professionally within elite college programs. His journey reinforces the idea that Missouri can be both a destination and a launching point, whether for professional football or coaching careers. Johnson, on the other hand, represents immediacy and familiarity, offering insight into the current era of college football and the day-to-day realities players face right now.
These hires also speak to Missouri’s emphasis on long-term sustainability. As the program continues to compete at a higher level within the SEC, maintaining physical readiness across the roster becomes increasingly important. Depth, durability, and development are often the difference between contending and fading late in the season. Strength and conditioning staff members play a direct role in all three areas, from injury prevention and recovery to maximizing player potential over multiple seasons.
The additions of Johnson and Gooden may not generate the same headlines as a major recruiting win or a high-profile transfer, but they represent meaningful investments in the program’s foundation. Programs that sustain success over time often do so by excelling in these less glamorous areas, ensuring that players are physically prepared and mentally bought in long before Saturdays arrive.
For Missouri, the move also reinforces a sense of identity. Bringing former Tigers back into the fold sends a clear message to current players and recruits alike: the program values its own and is willing to invest in people who understand what it means to represent the university. That continuity can strengthen trust, foster loyalty, and create a more cohesive environment across all levels of the program.
As the Tigers prepare for the upcoming season, Johnson and Gooden will step into roles that place them at the heart of daily operations, working closely with players during some of the most demanding aspects of preparation. While their work may largely take place away from the spotlight, its impact will be felt on the field, in player development, and in the culture that Drinkwitz continues to build.
In an era where college football is defined by constant change, roster turnover, and evolving demands, Missouri’s decision to lean into familiarity and experience offers a sense of stability. The additions of Tre’Vez Johnson and Zaviar Gooden reflect a belief that progress is built not only through talent acquisition but through the people tasked with shaping that talent every day. For the Tigers, that belief continues to guide the program forward.
