Could Majors have won a NC here?

[wmcovol]

Jamal Lewis?

Webb over Lewis. JMO. I know Jamal had a great pro career while Webb didn’t but based on college Webb was absolutely a great back. Tough elusive runner with breakaway ability

Watch the 1990 Cotton Bowl game vs Arkansas. His 75 yd run was outstanding.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Webb over Lewis. JMO. I know Jamal had a great pro career while Webb didn’t but based on college Webb was absolutely a great back. Tough elusive runner with breakaway ability

Watch the 1990 Cotton Bowl game vs Arkansas. His 75 yd run was outstanding.

Both freaking great, but I will always give Webb the nod. His vision inside and the lateral quickness and burst are once in a lifetime kind of talents. It was shame he tore his knee in the 2nd game of his senior season

 

[TNnative]

Always drunk? Yeah, that's a false narrative

In between our two posts, someone asked if Johnny drank away our chances......

To maintain what I told you about? That takes years of dedicated drinking. But Hey, believe what you wish, matters little to me.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

To maintain what I told you about? That takes years of dedicated drinking. But Hey, believe what you wish, matters little to me.

Hey, I get what you said about some signs, but you also said you never saw him have a drink. He lived to 85, I think, and that wouldn't be indicative of a life always being drunk

 

[Old Man Kelsey’s Vols]

Depends on how many team play-off. We were ranked #8 after the Vandy game.

89 was probably the best chance if Reggie hadn't pulled his trick before the Alabama game. Still scored 30 on the Tide without him.

And of course will never know what 90 would have produced with Webb playing a whole season.

What lost that game was Majors not playing two younger more talented players in a porous secondary - Carl Pickens and JJ McKlesky.

 

[hndog609]

Both freaking great, but I will always give Webb the nod. His vision inside and the lateral quickness and burst are once in a lifetime kind of talents. It was shame he tore his knee in the 2nd game of his senior season

It's more tragic than that...it was the 2nd game of his RS Soph season. The RB many here consider the most gifted they ever saw in orange only had 265 career carries.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Both freaking great, but I will always give Webb the nod. His vision inside and the lateral quickness and burst are once in a lifetime kind of talents. It was shame he tore his knee in the 2nd game of his senior season

RS junior season. He skipped his senior season.

It wouldn’t be debatable that he was UT’s GOAT if he had been the featured back for a full season rather than just as a SO. He looked better in the Cotton Bowl than Herschel Walker.

 

[sami]

Fulmer won a NC when he recruited Manning. The 1998 roster was full of guys who came to Tennessee seeing what they could accomplish watching the Vols 1994-95. Most figured they’d win one with PM at QB.

I doubt Majors could have signed PM so I’d say no. His 1989 & 90 teams were NC quality but injuries, suspensions, etc blew it. That was his highest point regarding talent on the roster.

My first thought when seeing the thread title was how unlikely it would have been for Majors to have gotten Peyton to come to UT, which is what opened the door to the successful Fulmer run.

Johnny rebuilt the UT program from the ashes, but just had a tendency to stub his toe at the wrong time at least a couple of times each season. Any of the teams he had in '85, '87, 89, and '90 were good enough to have gone all the way, but there always seemed to be that odd game, bad break, or costly injury that would derail a season.

I was in school at UT in the early '80's, and there was great frustration among the fan base at the relatively mediocre results given some of the immense talent and future pros on those rosters, but he really found his footing in '85 and had a nice run for a few seasons, building a program that Fulmer took to the next level after running Johnny out.

As to the poll question, there's just no way to know for certain, but I think Johnny was at the end of the line when he was replaced.

 

[sami]

I agree. His pucker factor was always plus ten when Tennessee played Bama.

While true, in '82 he produced (along with '22) the most iconic win over Alabama we would ever see.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

While true, in '82 he produced (along with '22) the most iconic win over Alabama we would ever see.

And won the next 3 in a row too

 

[rocytop2624]

One word that could not be used to describe Majors teams was "slow". I don't care if they lost or wasn't a bowl team he was going to have some world class speed on the roster.

Fulmer's teams had speed most years, but the year Lucas T and Josh B started at receiver had to be one of the slower starting duos on a UT roster I had seen. They were good players but they ran about a 4.7 40 time. Unless you are Jerry Rice, had Peter Warrick juke ability or was a 6'3" or 6'4" 225 then you're limited.

After that we've had periods of speed issues with every coach since then. Even Heupel's team last year looked slow vs OSU and was criticized for lack of speed at WR. That was not the case vs Big Ten teams in the past.

And we had two maybe 3 4.3 receivers.

 

[knox73]

If Bob Woodruff had hired Majors instead of Battle - yes Johnny would have won multiple national championships at Tennessee. He would have taken over a powerhouse from Dickey and moved it on up. If would have been p.r. Genius to hire the Vol hero after Dickey left in the depth of the night for Florida. Woodruff wanted to show he could do like Danny White and hire an unknown assistant for the second time and he hired Bill Battle. Anyway Battle was one of the worst at recruiting in SEC history and the program internally collapsed in six years. John took over the worst team in the SEC which was the unkindest twist of fate and Battle never coached another day of football after leaving Knoxville. Dickey failed miserably at Florida but Johnny rebuilt Tennessee and what a wild ride it was. Fulmer inherited an absolute powerhouse but won his NC without Majors‘ players as both Fulmer and Majors were exceptional recruiters… And there should be statues of both Johnny and Phil at opposite ends of the stadium. Leave a prime .spot for Josh Heupel too.

 

[#1fulmerite]

I think you mean Heath

Yes sir, you are correct! It was late and my memory was tired as well.

 

[#1fulmerite]

I’m not sure Spurrier would have been in Johnny’s head as much, if any, as he was in Phil’s. However, I think the Bama issue may have stuck with Johnny as Florida’s did with Phil.

Johnny may have had a better record against Florida and Spurrier but, his downfall would have been Bama keeping him out of the NC, even when they were on probation.

 

[HarderKnox59]

While true, in '82 he produced (along with '22) the most iconic win over Alabama we would ever see.

The 1990 Tenn/Bama game will always be in my mind as the shoulda coulda woulda game for Majors.

 

[GAVol]

The 1990 Tenn/Bama game will always be in my mind as the shoulda coulda woulda game for Majors.

The worst part of this website is that every couple of months somebody brings up that game and I have to remember how bad my seats were and the horror of watching that blocked FG shoot backwards 30 yards to set up their game winner.

 

[Dartmouth Vol]

The worst part of this website is that every couple of months somebody brings up that game and I have to remember how bad my seats were and the horror of watching that blocked FG shoot backwards 30 yards to set up their game winner.

Agree. People often forget the run/pass ratio that day was 35/25 and that not being able to either run or pass effectively is a bad way to go.

Also, that Alabama would go on to lose only 3 of their next 38 games after that day.

Burke kicks the FG that was blocked, no one remembers that game.

 

[GAVol]

View attachment 740165

Agree. People often forget the run/pass ratio that day was 35/25 and that not being able to either run or pass effectively is a bad way to go.

Also, that Alabama would go on to lose only 3 of their next 38 games after that day.

Burke kicks the FG that was blocked, no one remembers that game.

Just a bizarre performance a week after hanging 45 on Florida.

 

[TNnative]

Hey, I get what you said about some signs, but you also said you never saw him have a drink. He lived to 85, I think, and that wouldn't be indicative of a life always being drunk

No I never "saw" him drink. But I could always smell he had been drinking. As to him living to 85? God's grace I guess. Maybe in those later years, they had him locked away, voluntarily or not, to keep him away from alcoholic beverages. As I said before I have been around my share of alcoholics, and many of the others, you had to be standing very close to them to smell it coming through their pores. Johnny? I always smelled him before I saw him. The nose knows.

 

[ksgovols]

Those that said Majors could are assuming all things equal. All things were not equal. Peyton Manning nor Tee Martin are coming to Knoxville and Heath Shuler would have been doubtful with CJM heading the program. Pissed away chances in 90 and 91 and choked against Bama on the regular. Majors benefitted for most of his UT career from a 6 game SEC schedule that included Vandy, Kentucky and pitiful Ole Miss teams every year that he won, Auburn and Alabama who he had losing records against historically and one rotating team. He had losing records against every SEC school except Vandy, UK, Ole Miss and LSU. His 85 and 90 SEC championship was by default as Florida was on probation, the 89 team was in a 3 way tie for first with Alabama and Auburn (TN lost to Bama, beat Auburn. Bama lost to Auburn).

1992 is the perfect example of why it was time to make a change from a morale standpoint if nothing else. I appreciate everything Coach Majors did for the university and his love for UT, but his coaching career had run it's race.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Those that said Majors could are assuming all things equal. All things were not equal. Peyton Manning nor Tee Martin are coming to Knoxville and Heath Shuler would have been doubtful with CJM heading the program. Pissed away chances in 90 and 91 and choked against Bama on the regular. Majors benefitted for most of his UT career from a 6 game SEC schedule that included Vandy, Kentucky and pitiful Ole Miss teams every year that he won, Auburn and Alabama who he had losing records against historically and one rotating team. He had losing records against every SEC school except Vandy, UK, Ole Miss and LSU. His 85 and 90 SEC championship was by default as Florida was on probation, the 89 team was in a 3 way tie for first with Alabama and Auburn (TN lost to Bama, beat Auburn. Bama lost to Auburn).

1992 is the perfect example of why it was time to make a change from a morale standpoint if nothing else. I appreciate everything Coach Majors did for the university and his love for UT, but his coaching career had run it's race.

Heath Shuler was recruited and signed during the Majors era

 

[miket4god]

Do you think had he not been let go in favor of Fulmer during the ‘92 season, he would have won a NC here and, if so, before the ‘98 season?

Regardless if he had stayed out the ‘92 season or won the power struggle, Fulmer would have been gone to another program. Would Fulmer have taken coaches with him or would they have stayed? I, for one, was glad that we, the legions of the miserables had Fulmer and thus our ‘98 NC. But, had Majors remained the HC, I don’t ever see him winning a NC. Now, to be fair, it took Fulmer many years to get us to the top. Seems Johnny’s teams were too up and down week to week. Beat a good Florida team then turn around and lose to a good Bama team then tie an average to good team like Auburn.

Also, seems to me the coaching style difference between the two also separates them. Fulmer was more of a players coach and more hands on; at a time we need both.

The thing that separates Johnny Majors from Phil Fulmer, and just about any other UT head coach, was his ability to hire assistant coaches. His coaching tree is a whos who.

Phil Fulmer, Walt Harris, David Cutcliffe, Dave Wannstedt, Jimmy Johnson, Dom Capers, Jackie Sherrill, Jon Gruden, Curt Cignetti, Kippy Brown, Ron Zook, Kevin Steele, Joe Avvezano, Tommy West, Larry Lacewell, Larry Marmie, all of which became head coaches in college or the NFL.

Incredible coaching talent hired by Majors.

 

[#1fulmerite]

The 1990 Tenn/Bama game will always be in my mind as the shoulda coulda woulda game for Majors.

Man, I equate this to that ‘93 game as well! It was almost as if Phil kept the Bama jinks alive!

 

[ksgovols]

Heath Shuler was recruited and signed during the Majors era

Here's an old article from the 92 season with an interesting quote by Shuler towards the end. If Coach Cutt and Fulmer had left, I think Shuler transfers. Just my opinion.

I loved Coach Majors at the time because he loved Tennessee. The reality is he won 61% of his games in 16 years, an average of 7.3 per year.

Majors Bought Out of Tennessee Contract : College football: School may have been worried that assistant coach would leave and take staff with him.

The Johnny Majors era at Tennessee is over.

www.latimes.com

 

[#1fulmerite]

Here's an old article from the 92 season with an interesting quote by Shuler towards the end. If Coach Cutt and Fulmer had left, I think Shuler transfers. Just my opinion.

I loved Coach Majors at the time because he loved Tennessee. The reality is he won 61% of his games in 16 years, an average of 7.3 per year.

Majors Bought Out of Tennessee Contract : College football: School may have been worried that assistant coach would leave and take staff with him.

The Johnny Majors era at Tennessee is over.

www.latimes.com

Reading that article showed me just how inflation works. We paid Majors (around) half a million a year while we paid CPF $1 million per year left on his contract.

What did we pay Steele for a few months eleven years later?