KNOXVILLE — University of Tennessee football is rich in tradition and Vols Wire will explore the program by examining each head coach’s tenure at UT.
This installment will focus on 1935 and the career of W.H. Britton.
Britton first came to Tennessee in 1926 as an assistant coach to Robert Neyland.
Both men played for Army and Britton, a former head coach at the University of Hawaii in 1916, joined Neyland’s staff as an ends coach and scout.
Following the 1934 season, Neyland was placed on active duty in the United States Army, serving in the Panama Canal Zone.
In his absence, Britton was elevated to Tennessee’s head coach. In his one season, the Volunteers went 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the Southeastern Conference, finishing ninth in the league standings.
Britton recorded coaching victories against Southwestern, Auburn, Centre and Mississippi.
His team was outscored 155-98 in 1935.
Neyland returned to Knoxville the following year and Britton re-assumed his duties as ends coach and scout. He remained on Neyland’s staff until 1947.
Britton had a .500 lifetime football coaching record of 7-7-1 at his two schools. He also coached Tennessee’s basketball team from 1926-35 and had a record of 80-73.