The college football world lost its second coaching legend in less than a week when former Tennessee coach Johnny Majors died Wednesday at the age of 85.
Johnny Majors, a legendary coach for the Tennessee football team and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, has died. He was 85. https://t.co/rJgmHUSgAz
— knoxnews (@knoxnews) June 3, 2020
His death came days after Auburn’s Pat Dye succumbed to kidney disease at 80.
Al Messerschmidt/WireImage
A triple-threat tailback at the University of Tennessee, Majors was an All-American and runner-up for the Heisman Trophy to Paul Hornung in 1956.
After starting his head-coaching career at Iowa State, Majors moved to his alma mater for 16 seasons with a record of 116-62-8.
In 1973, he left to become coach at Pittsburgh and won a national championship in 1976 with a 12-0 record. He received national Coach-of-the-Year honors following that season.
In 1977, he returned to Knoxville as Tennessee’s head coach. Over a 15-year career, he led the Vols to three SEC championships (1985, ’89, ’90). He also won the Sugar Bowl in ’86 and ’91.
John Majors, 1935-2020.
He led us to our greatest glory and changed Pitt forever.
Thank you, Coach. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/bPs4OEoQXW
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) June 3, 2020
Among those NFL coaches who were assistants under Majors and grew from his coaching tree were: Jimmy Johnson, Jon Gruden, Al Saunders, and Dave Wannstedt.Joh