Johnny Majors

Johnny Majors
Majors in 2009
Biographical details
Born(1935-05-21)May 21, 1935
Lynchburg, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJune 3, 2020(2020-06-03) (aged 85)
Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Playing career
1953–1956Tennessee
1957Montreal Alouettes
Position(s)Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1957Tennessee (GA)
1958–1959Tennessee (backfield)
1960–1963Mississippi State (DB)
1964–1967Arkansas (assistant)
1968–1972Iowa State
1973–1976Pittsburgh
1977–1992Tennessee
1993–1996Pittsburgh
Head coaching record
Overall185–137–10
Bowls9–6
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
National (1976)
3 SEC (1985, 1989, 1990)
Awards
College Football Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1987 (profile)

John Terrill Majors (May 21, 1935 – June 3, 2020) was an American professional football player and college coach. A standout halfback at the University of Tennessee, he was an All-American in 1956 and a two-time winner of the Southeastern Conference Most Valuable Player award, in 1955 and 1956. He finished second to Paul Hornung in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1956. After playing one season in the Canadian Football League (CFL), Majors became a college assistant coach. He served as the head coach at Iowa State University (1968–1972), the University of Pittsburgh (1973–1976, 1993–1996), and Tennessee (1977–1992), compiling a career college football record of 185–137–10. His 1976 Pittsburgh squad won a national championship after capping a 12–0 season with a victory in the Sugar Bowl. Majors was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1987.