“It’s Football Time In Tennessee!” – A phrase synonymous with the passion and tradition of Volunteers football, and deeply intertwined with the name John Majors.
Tennessee has produced a remarkable number of athletes who have achieved success in college and professional sports. Yet, John Majors stands out as one of the most accomplished figures, seamlessly transitioning from a celebrated player to a legendary coach. Even before his collegiate fame, Majors was a standout athlete at Huntland High School, dominating the gridiron and holding the record as the State Overall Scoring Leader in football for an impressive three consecutive years (1950-1952).
At the University of Tennessee, John Majors’ impact was immediate and profound. He spearheaded the Volunteers to a perfect 10-0 regular season, culminating in a Sugar Bowl appearance. His exceptional talent earned him All-Southeastern Conference honors twice. The Nashville Banner recognized him as the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in both 1955 and 1956. Nationally, Majors was recognized as an NCAA All-American, the United Press International National Back of the Year in 1956, and the Atlanta Touchdown Club’s SEC Back of the Year, also in 1956. He reached the pinnacle of individual college football accolades as a Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1956, solidifying his place among the nation’s elite.
John Majors’ deep connection with the University of Tennessee extended beyond his playing days. He commenced his illustrious coaching career at his alma mater, beginning as a student-assistant in 1957, and quickly rising to assistant coach roles in 1958 and 1959. His coaching journey took him to Mississippi State (1960-1963) and the University of Arkansas (1964-1967), where he contributed to the Razorbacks’ National Championship victory in 1964 as an assistant coach. In 1968, Majors took the helm as head coach at Iowa State University. Inheriting a struggling program, he orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, guiding the Cyclones to their first-ever bowl game appearances in 1971 and 1972 and earning Big 8 Coach of the Year honors in 1971.
Demonstrating his remarkable ability to revitalize football programs, John Majors accepted the head coaching position at the University of Pittsburgh. He transformed the Pitt Panthers into a national powerhouse. In 1973, he led them to the Fiesta Bowl and, in a historic achievement, secured a National Championship in 1976, earning National Coach of the Year awards in both 1973 and 1976. The allure of his alma mater proved too strong, and in 1977, John Majors returned to the University of Tennessee as head coach. His second stint with the Volunteers spanned fifteen seasons, marked by consistent success. Under his leadership, Tennessee made ten bowl appearances, winning seven, and captured three SEC Championships in 1985, 1989, and 1990. His overall record at Tennessee was an impressive 116 wins and 62 losses. Majors was again recognized as Coach of the Year in 1985/86.
After leaving Tennessee in 1992, Majors returned to the University of Pittsburgh for a second head coaching tenure in 1993. He transitioned into athletic administration in 1997, becoming Director of Athletics and Special Assistant to the Chancellor at Pittsburgh. Even after retiring from coaching and administration, John Majors remained an influential figure in college football, actively participating as a speaker, team evaluator, and recruiter.
The enduring legacy of John Majors is preserved in the John T. Majors Papers, housed at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. This extensive collection, encompassing 57.5 linear feet of materials, spans the years 1942-2007 and offers a comprehensive look into his life and career. The archive includes correspondence, clippings, playbooks, notebooks, scrapbooks, photographs, awards, programs, scouting reports, audio and video recordings, and films. A significant portion of the original donation is also available on microfilm, ensuring its accessibility for researchers and enthusiasts.
The Formative Years: Family and High School Football
John Terrill Majors was born on May 21, 1935, in Lynchburg, Tennessee. He grew up in a family that valued both sports and intellectual pursuits. While books and music were integral to the Majors household, John’s passion for sports was evident from a young age. Family and friends recall his constant involvement in athletic activities throughout his childhood.
His father, Shirley Inman Majors, was a significant influence on John’s athletic development. The elder Majors was himself a gifted athlete in football, basketball, and baseball at Moore County High School in Lynchburg. He dedicated his career to coaching, starting at Moore County High in 1944. After coaching stints in Lynchburg and Decherd, Tennessee, he took on the challenge of reviving the football program at Huntland High School, which had been dormant for over two decades. Shirley Majors concluded his distinguished coaching career at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, where he served as head football coach for 21 years. Notably, he coached Sewanee’s only two undefeated, untied teams in the 20th century, in 1958 and 1963.
John Majors’ high school journey began at Lynchburg High School in 1949, where he played football as a freshman. Interestingly, his Lynchburg team’s sole victory that season came against his father’s Huntland High team. This defeat spurred Shirley Majors to move his family to Huntland, ensuring that his sons would play for him. John and his brothers Joe, Bill, and Larry all played under their father’s tutelage at Huntland. From 1950 to 1956, Coach Shirley Majors built a formidable program, achieving an impressive record of 70 wins, one loss, and one tie.
Under his father’s guidance at Huntland High School, John Majors excelled. He set records as the State Overall Scoring Leader in football for three consecutive years (1950-1952). His scoring prowess was remarkable: 153 points as a sophomore, 161 points as a junior, and 213 points in his senior year. Across his four high school seasons, Majors accumulated a total of 564 points. In his senior year, he rushed for an astounding 2,550 yards, averaging 17.7 yards per carry, and earned All-Midstate team honors from both the Nashville Banner and Nashville Tennessean.
Collegiate Stardom: Playing for the Tennessee Volunteers
John Majors’ extraordinary high school career, culminating in his senior year’s 2,550 rushing yards, attracted significant attention from college football recruiters. He received offers from numerous Southeastern Conference schools, as well as programs from Wyoming, Arkansas, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and West Point. Ultimately, his decision narrowed down to the University of Tennessee and Auburn University. Family played a crucial role in his final choice. His mother, John Elizabeth Bobo Majors, advised him to choose Tennessee, favoring the in-state option if the two programs were otherwise comparable. With that, John Majors committed to the University of Tennessee.
Majors joined a massive freshman class of 127 recruits in 1953, the last freshman class recruited by the legendary General Robert “Bob” Neyland, a defining figure in Volunteers football history.
As a player for the Tennessee Volunteers, John Majors led the team to an undefeated 10-0 regular season and a Sugar Bowl berth. His individual accolades at Tennessee were extensive. He was a two-time All-Southeastern Conference selection and twice named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year by the Nashville Banner (1955 and 1956). His national honors included unanimous All-American status, United Press International National Back of the Year in 1956, Atlanta Touchdown Club’s SEC Back of the Year in 1956, and Heisman Trophy Runner-Up in 1956. These achievements cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in Tennessee Volunteers history.
The Pittsburgh Glory Years: Building a National Champion
In 1973, John Majors assumed the head coaching position at the University of Pittsburgh, inheriting a program in need of revitalization. He immediately advocated for increased football scholarships and improvements to player facilities, including stadium renovations, a new locker room, and upgraded training areas. Majors prioritized recruiting, focusing heavily on talent within Pennsylvania. His efforts paid off when he successfully recruited Tony Dorsett, a highly sought-after running back, to Pitt.
With Tony Dorsett as the centerpiece of a talented roster, the Pittsburgh Panthers experienced a turnaround in 1973, finishing with a 6-4-1 record and earning a Fiesta Bowl invitation. Majors was recognized as National Coach of the Year for his transformative impact. By 1975, the Panthers continued to improve, posting a 7-4 record and defeating Kansas in the Fiesta Bowl.
Leading up to the 1976 season, John Majors believed the Pittsburgh team possessed the experience and determination to contend for the National Championship. His prediction proved accurate. The Panthers completed a perfect 12-0 season, culminating in a Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia (27-3) and securing the National Championship. John Majors was again named National Coach of the Year, and Tony Dorsett capped off a historic season by winning the Heisman Trophy in 1976. This era at Pittsburgh remains a pinnacle of John Majors’ coaching career.
Biographical Sketch
| 1935 | May 21, born in Lynchburg, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| 1941-1950 | Education in Lynchburg public schools |
| 1950 | Family moved to Huntland, Tennessee |
| 1953 | Graduated from Huntland High School |
| 1957 | Graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville |
| 1957 | June-September, played for the Montreal Alouettes (Canadian Football League) |
| 1957-1959 | Student and assistant football coach, University of Tennessee |
| 1958 | Married Mary Lynn Barnwell |
| 1960-1963 | Assistant football coach, Mississippi State University |
| 1964-1967 | Assistant football coach, University of Arkansas |
| 1968-1972 | Head football coach, Iowa State University |
| 1973-1976 | Head football coach, University of Pittsburgh |
| 1977-1992 | Head football coach, University of Tennessee |
| 1993-1996 | Head football coach, University of Pittsburgh |
| 1997-2007 | Director of Athletics and Special Assistant to the Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh |
Selected Honors and Awards
| State Overall Scoring Leader (football) 3 consecutive years: (Huntland H.S., 1950–153 points); (Huntland H.S., 1951– 161 points); (Huntland H.S., 1952–213 points); total points scored in 4 years: 564 points |
|---|
| All-SEC football tailback, 1955-1956 |
| Nashville Banner SEC player of the year, 1955-1956 |
| Unanimous NCAA All-American in football, 1956 |
| Heisman Trophy runner-up, 1956 |
| United Press International National Back of the Year, 1956 |
| Atlanta Touchdown Club’s SEC back-of-the-year, 1956 |
| Birmingham Quarterback Club’s SEC most valuable player, 1956 |
| Charter Member of State of Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, 1966/1967 (and entire immediate family) |
| Big 8 Coach of the Year, 1971 |
| National Coach of the Year, 1973 (FWAA) |
| Dapper Dan Award (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), 1973 |
| Birmingham QB Club’s Quarter-Century SEC team, 1974 |
| National Coach of the Year, 1976 (multiple organizations) |
| Southeastern Conference Coach of the year, 1985 (AP, UPI, Nashville Banner, Knoxville Journal) |
| Inducted into the National Football Foundation’s College Hall of Fame, 1987 |
| University of Tennessee All-Century Team, 1991 |
John Majors’ versatility as a player was evident in his high school years. He played single wing tailback, a position that demanded proficiency in passing, running, and punting. This “triple threat” capability foreshadowed his multifaceted success in football.
The 1952 Huntland High School football team, featuring John Majors at tailback, exemplified the scoring dominance of Coach Shirley Majors’ program. For three consecutive years, Huntland led all Tennessee schools in scoring, a testament to the Majors family’s football legacy.
These images capture John Majors in his Huntland High School uniform, showcasing both his athleticism and his role as a punter. His skills extended beyond running, highlighting his all-around football talent.
This photograph captures a significant moment: Coach John T. Majors’ induction into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame. Surrounded by his family, including his mother Elizabeth Bobo Majors, this event celebrated his lifelong contributions to college football.
This celebratory scene depicts Coach John T. Majors being carried by his players after a victory over Alabama in 1982. The scoreboard in the background highlights the significance of the win, Tennessee 35, Alabama 28, underscoring the intensity of this rivalry and Majors’ success against a formidable opponent.
This image captures the energy and anticipation surrounding a University of Tennessee football game. Coach John T. Majors is seen running onto the field, embodying the passion and excitement he brought to the Volunteers program.
A meeting of coaching legends: John T. Majors and Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant. This photograph captures a moment of camaraderie and respect between two iconic figures in college football history on the field of the University of Tennessee’s stadium.
This action shot immortalizes Johnny Majors scoring his first collegiate touchdown for Tennessee against Mississippi State. It marks the beginning of his stellar career as a Volunteer.
A portrait of John T. Majors, capturing the determination and focus that defined his playing and coaching career.
This image showcases Johnny Majors in action during his University of Tennessee playing days, highlighting his running ability and his iconic number 45 jersey.
Johnny Majors poses in his full football uniform, projecting the confidence and pride of a Tennessee Volunteer.
A play diagram from a University of Tennessee game against Kentucky, illustrating Johnny Majors’ running lane. The score indicates a Tennessee victory, 20-7.
John Majors (front row, left) with the University of Arkansas coaching staff in 1966. This period saw him contribute to the Razorbacks’ national championship success as an assistant coach, gaining valuable experience that would shape his future head coaching career.
This award emblem represents John Majors’ recognition as Coach of the Year in 1976 by the American Football Coaches Association. This prestigious award followed his leadership of the University of Pittsburgh to the National Championship, solidifying his status as one of the nation’s top coaches.
The Coach of the Year Award from 1973 marks John Majors’ initial national recognition as a head coach. Awarded during his tenure at Pittsburgh, it acknowledged his early success in rebuilding the Panthers program and leading them to national prominence.
