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.