Z.G. Clevenger – Syndication Server

1911-15: Tennessee’s football uniforms under head coach Z.G. Clevenger

1911-15: Vols’ football uniforms under head coach Z.G. Clevenger

Z.G. Clevenger served as Tennessee’s football head coach from 1911-15, compiling a 26-15-2 record.

Clevenger guided Tennessee to its first ever championship in program history during the 1914 season. The Vols won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship and were 9-0 in 1914. 1914 marked the first season Tennessee defeated Vanderbilt.

At Tennessee, Clevenger served as the Vols’ head coach for football, basketball and baseball. He compiled a 50-14 record (1911-16) and went undefeated during the 1915-16 campaign (12-0) in basketball.

As Tennessee’s baseball head coach, Clevenger compiled a 40-37-3 record between 1912-16.

Clevenger, a native of Muncie, Indiana, came to Tennessee after serving as Nebraska Wesleyan’s football, basketball and baseball head coach.

The Indiana graduate and halfback for the Hoosiers later went on to serve as a head coach in baseball, football and basketball at Kansas State. He was Indiana’s basketball and baseball head coach, where he also served as athletics director, before arriving at Nebraska Wesleyan.

Clevenger, who went on to become athletics director at Kansas State and Missouri before returning to Indiana, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968, two years before his death.

Below are clippings of Tennessee’s football uniforms from 1911-15 when Clevenger served as the Vols’ head coach.

Vols’ basketball history 1911-1916: Head coach Z.G. Clevenger

Tennessee basketball’s history covers over a century, and Vols Wire will explore the history of the program by examining each head coaches’ tenure at UT.

This installment will examine the 1911-1916 seasons when UT was coached by Z.G. Clevenger.

Clevenger came to Knoxville as an Indiana graduate to coach football, basketball and baseball. Unlike his predecessor, Clevenger had a reputation for his basketball knowledge, and enjoyed the first successful tenure Tennessee basketball ever experienced. The Vols beat nearly everyone they faced with the exception of the Kentucky Wildcats, but that changed in the 1914-1915 season. A four-game series was split between the two teams, 2-2, with the home teams winning every game. A rivalry that continues to this day was born.

In terms of winning percentage, Clevenger is still at the top of Tennessee’s history on the hardwood. The Vols went 50-14 under his leadership, winning over 78 percent of his games. Clevenger enjoyed success on the gridiron as well, leading UT to a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship in 1914.

The 1915-16 season was Clevenger’s best basketball year, perfect at 12-0. Tennessee was the best team in the south.

Clevenger would go on to lead Kansas State in multiple sports after his time in Knoxville.

Vols’ football history 1911-1915: Head coach Z.G. Clevenger

KNOXVILLE — University of Tennessee football is rich in tradition and Vols Wire will explore the history of the program by examining each head coach’s tenure at UT.

This installment will focus on 1911-15 when Z.G. Clevenger coached the Vols.

Clevenger, a native of Muncie, Indiana, came to Tennessee after coaching three seasons at Nebraska Wesleyan.

At Tennessee, he coached football, basketball and baseball. On the gridiron, he posted a record of 26-15-2 with the Vols.

He was the first UT coach to beat in-state rival Vanderbilt and was also the first Vols’ head man to win a conference championship, guiding Tennessee to a 9-0 record and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association title in 1914.

The Indiana University graduate and halfback for the Hoosiers later went on to coach baseball, football and basketball at Kansas State. He was Indiana’s basketball and baseball coach, where he also served as athletic director, before coming to Knoxville.

Clevenger, who went on to become athletic director at Kansas State and Missouri before returning to Indiana, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968, two years before his death.