 Majors in 2009 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 21, 1935 Lynchburg, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | June 3, 2020 (aged 85) Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1953–1956 | Tennessee |
| 1957 | Montreal Alouettes |
| Position(s) | Halfback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1957 | Tennessee (GA) |
| 1958–1959 | Tennessee (backfield) |
| 1960–1963 | Mississippi State (DB) |
| 1964–1967 | Arkansas (assistant) |
| 1968–1972 | Iowa State |
| 1973–1976 | Pittsburgh |
| 1977–1992 | Tennessee |
| 1993–1996 | Pittsburgh |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 185–137–10 |
| Bowls | 9–6 |
| 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.