Johnny Majors is a legendary former football coach who spent over four decades in the coaching industry.
He is best known for his time at the University of Tennessee, where he served as head coach from 1977 to 1992. During his tenure, Majors led the Volunteers to three SEC Championships and a national championship in 1998.
Majors was also known for his strong character and commitment to his players, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in the NFL and beyond.
Today, Johnny Majors is remembered as one of the greatest coaches in the history of Tennessee football and a true icon of the sport.
Quick Facts: 10 Accomplishments for Former Tennessee Coach Johnny Majors
Here are the top 10 accomplishments of Johnny Majors as the head coach of Tennessee football:
- Three SEC Championships: Majors led the Volunteers to three SEC Championships in 1985, 1989, and 1990.
- High-Winning Percentage: Majors had a high winning percentage as the head coach of Tennessee, winning 116 games out of his 167 games.
- Bowl Game Success: He led the team to six bowl games during his tenure and had a 3-3 record in those games.
- Developed All-American Players: Majors developed several All-American players during his time at Tennessee, including Reggie White and Dale Carter.
- Strong Recruiting Classes: He brought in several strong recruiting classes, including the highly rated class of 1985.
- Rebuilt Tennessee Football Program: Majors took over a Tennessee football program that was struggling and rebuilt it into a winning team.
- Successful Against Rival Schools: He had a strong record against rival schools, including victories over Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia.
- Built a Strong Defense: Majors built a strong defense at Tennessee, which was a key factor in the team’s success.
- Respected Coach: He was a respected coach among his peers and was known for his strong character and commitment to his players.
- Personal Accolades: Majors received several personal accolades during his coaching career, including being named SEC Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1989 and AFCA Coach of the Year in 1976.
Summary of Johnny Majors’ Career at Tennessee
1977-1992: Johnny Majors was hired as the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers in 1977. He spent 16 years leading the team, during which time he established the program as a dominant force in the SEC and a nationally competitive program. He won three SEC Championships (1985, 1989, and 1990). Majors had a 116-62-8 record at Tennessee, making him one of the winningest coaches in program history.
Tennessee Vols Coach Johnny Majors: Year-by-Year Results
Johnny Majors was the head football coach at the University of Tennessee from 1977 to 1992. During that time, his year-by-year record was as follows:
| Wins | Losses | Ties | Win % | Bowl Game | |||
| 1977 | Tennessee | 4 | 7 | 0 | .364 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Tennessee | 5 | 5 | 1 | .500 | ||
| 1979 | Tennessee | 7 | 5 | 0 | .583 | Bluebonnet Bowl-L | |
| 1980 | Tennessee | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | ||
| 1981 | Tennessee | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | Garden State Bowl-W | |
| 1982 | Tennessee | 6 | 5 | 1 | .542 | Peach Bowl-L | |
| 1983 | Tennessee | 9 | 3 | 0 | .750 | Citrus Bowl-W | |
| 1984 | Tennessee | 7 | 4 | 1 | .625 | Sun Bowl-L | |
| 1985 | Tennessee | 9 | 1 | 2 | .833 | Sugar Bowl-W | |
| 1986 | Tennessee | 7 | 5 | 0 | .583 | Liberty Bowl-W | |
| 1987 | Tennessee | 10 | 2 | 1 | .808 | Peach Bowl-W | |
| 1988 | Tennessee | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | ||
| 1989 | Tennessee | 11 | 1 | 0 | .917 | Cotton Bowl-W | |
| 1990 | Tennessee | 9 | 2 | 2 | .769 | Sugar Bowl-W | |
| 1991 | Tennessee | 9 | 3 | 0 | .750 | Fiesta Bowl-L | |
| 1992 | Tennessee | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 |
SEC Football History: What You Should Know about Johnny Majors
Johnny Majors is a legendary figure in college football. A former player and coach, he left a lasting impact on the game through his many achievements and contributions to the sport.
Majors was born on May 21, 1935, in Lynchburg, Tennessee. He grew up playing football and other sports, and he showed an early talent for the game. Majors attended the University of Tennessee, where he played halfback for the Tennessee Volunteers from 1953 to 1956. He was a standout player, setting several records and earning All-SEC honors. After his playing career, he began his coaching career as an assistant coach at several schools, including Mississippi State and Arkansas.
In 1968, Majors was hired as the head coach at Iowa State University. He spent five years at Iowa State, leading the team to a pair of winning seasons and two bowl games. In 1973, he was hired as the head coach at the University of Pittsburgh, where he enjoyed even greater success. Over the next six seasons, he led the Panthers to two national championships and several conference titles. He was named National Coach of the Year in 1976.
In 1977, Majors returned to his alma mater, Tennessee, as the head coach of the Volunteers. He spent 16 years leading the program, during which time he established Tennessee as a dominant force in the SEC and a nationally competitive program. He won three SEC Championships (1985, 1989, and 1990). He was known for his strong character and commitment to his players, and he developed several All-American players during his time at Tennessee, including Reggie White and Dale Carter.
Despite his success on the field, Johnny Majors was also known for his high standards of personal integrity and sportsmanship. He was a respected figure among his peers and was widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the game. After leaving Tennessee in 1992, he went on to coach at the University of Pittsburgh for several more years before retiring in 1996.
Throughout his coaching career, Johnny Majors left a lasting impact on the game of college football. He was a successful coach who won numerous conference championships and national titles, and he developed several All-American players who went on to successful careers in the NFL. He was also known for his strong character and commitment to his players, and he was widely respected as a coach who put the interests of his players above all else.
Today, Johnny Majors is remembered as one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football. He is a true icon of the sport, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of players and coaches. His contributions to the game have been widely recognized, and he has been honored with several awards and inductions into various halls of fame.
Johnny Majors passed away on June 3, 2020. He died at the age of 85 after a long illness.
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