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If you missed the sad news from Knoxville, Johnny Majors has passed at the age of 85.
Unfortunately, Majors is the second Southeastern Conference legend we’ve lost this week following the passing of Pat Dye.
When it comes to the pantheon of all-time great Tennessee coaches, Majors is the coach many go to immediately after naming General Neyland as the greatest coach in school history.
Majors roamed the sideline on Rocky Top from 1977 until 1992 and led Tennessee to three SEC titles and an overall record of 116-62-8. His bowl record at Tennessee was 7-4 and included two Sugar Bowl wins, as well as wins in the Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl and Citrus Bowl.
Before coming to Tennessee, Majors led Pitt to the 1976 national championship. His all-time coaching record is 185-137-10 in 29 years as a college head coach.
Majors even managed to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame during his coaching career, which is an incredible feat. Majors made the CFB Hall of Fame back in 1987.
During his playing career in Knoxville, Majors finished his career as an All-American and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1956.
Not long after word of his passing made the rounds, the flood of reactions came pouring in.
John Majors, 1935-2020.
He led us to our greatest glory and changed Pitt forever.
Thank you, Coach. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/bPs4OEoQXW
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) June 3, 2020
One of the 5 best coaches in Pitt, Tennessee AND Iowa State history. https://t.co/YYCpYC57lU
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) June 3, 2020
Johnny Majors, member of the College Football HOF, has died at age 85.
He won the 1976 national title at Pitt during a career that also saw him helm Iowa St and Tennessee.
As a player for the Vols, Majors finished 2nd to Paul Hornung in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1956.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) June 3, 2020
Just caught up with VFL James Berry about the loss of his coach. The eldest of the Berry family of Vols was emotional discussing the man that recruited him back in the late 70s. pic.twitter.com/T7A3547ePV
— Austin Price (@AustinPriceless) June 3, 2020
RIP, legendary Tennessee player and coach Johnny Majors. Here I am getting his autograph as a kid. pic.twitter.com/57oCv8tDcN
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/FootballScoop/status/1268176057540231172
RIP to the?JM! “Check,Check,Check” was a true leader of men! pic.twitter.com/g6IAh076Oa
— Aaron Hayden (@Ran4UT) June 3, 2020
Johnny Majors coached Reggie White, Tony Dorsett, Bill Bates, Willie Gault, Reggie and Raleigh McKenzie among many others, won a national title at Pitt and should have won a Heisman himself as a Vol: https://t.co/kcVpiH27Z7
— Thomas O'Toole (@ByThomasOToole) June 3, 2020
RIP Coach Johnny Majors ??
He paved the way for many young men like my father while coaching for the great University of Tennessee. Seeing my father play for Coach Majors made me excited to wear the orange and white on Saturdays ?
— Todd Kelly Jr. (TK) (@ToddKellyJr) June 3, 2020
We are all ?
Thanks for being you! #RIPCoachMajors pic.twitter.com/9psav8xr4i— Erik Ainge (@ErikAinge3) June 3, 2020
Growing up in Tennessee, Johnny Majors was a name as popular as Elvis or Davy Crockett. He is a true legend of the Volunteer State in every sense of the word. He gave his All as both a player and a coach and was highly successful. He will be missed.
— Chad Withrow (@TheChadWithrow) June 3, 2020
Thank you Coach Majors for setting the standard of @Vol_Football prayers sent to his family and all his former players!! #RIPVFL???? pic.twitter.com/cKDWLxNxcj
— Juice Davis (@jabaridavis_VFL) June 3, 2020
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
