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 head coach George Levene, who coached the Vols from 1907-09.
Levene was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he played end for the Quakers.
He succeeded J.D. Depree, who won four games in two seasons and only one in 1906.
Levene compiled a 15-10-3 record at Tennessee.
During his first season at UT, Levene guided the Volunteers to a 7-2-1 record. He became the first Tennessee coach to win seven games in a season.
The Vols also won seven games in 1908, going 7-2.
Levene’s time in Knoxville ended on a sour note as UT went 1-6-2 in 1909.
During his time at Tennessee, Levene had two wins over Georgia and a pair of victories over Clemson.
He won his final game on Rocky Top as he guided the Vols to an 11-0 win over Transylvania.
After leaving Knoxville, Levene returned to his alma mater before becoming head coach at Wake Forest in 1922.
He went 3-5-2 in his lone season with the Demon Deacons. Levene later became a football official and wrote a book before passing away at the age of 45.