Andy Spiva

[tennfever]

He was a special player and even better person died way to young

 

[soda23]

Not long ago Andy was the all time and single season holder of most tackles , hits and fumble recoveries . He still may be but I am not sure .............He was drafted by the St Louis Cardinals

 

[KBVol]

My brother's 58th birthday would've been last week and, feeling nostalgic, I Googled his name and found VolNation! How impressive it was to read all the good things people were remembering about him personally, his UT career and his short time with the Atlanta Falcons. I am thrilled to realize just how much others loved and admired Andy and to know that the world still misses this great person!!

When I was a boy and my dad introduced me to UT football, Andy Spiva was one of the first players I ever remember him talking about. Andy was one if Dads favorite players, along with Larry Seivers, Condredge Holloway and Stanley Morgan. Andy goes down in UT history as one of the greatest to ever don the orange and white. I'm glad his sister was able to find out how much he was admired, revered and even loved by the UT faithful by coming here.

 

[oregonvol]

My brother's 58th birthday would've been last week and, feeling nostalgic, I Googled his name and found VolNation! How impressive it was to read all the good things people were remembering about him personally, his UT career and his short time with the Atlanta Falcons. I am thrilled to realize just how much others loved and admired Andy and to know that the world still misses this great person!!

My dad played with him. I heard his name many times growing up. I was told that he was a great talent whose life was tragically cut short. Best wishes to you and your family.

 

[Volinnooga]

My dad played with him. I heard his name many times growing up. I was told that he was a great talent whose life was tragically cut short. Best wishes to you and your family.

Ok, I'll ask--who is your dad?

 

[oregonvol]

Ok, I'll ask--who is your dad?

I post too many controversial things on here and raise the volnation ire far too frequently to feel comfortable divulging any personal info, sorry.

Let's keep this thread about Andy Spiva, his playing career, and legacy.

 

[KBVol]

I post too many controversial things on here and raise the volnation ire far too frequently to feel comfortable divulging any personal info, sorry. I

Let's keep this thread about Andy Spiva, his playing career, and legacy.

Both true....and classy response

 

[Clemvolsince54]

Andy Spiva was an old school type of linebacker.On a tackle he visualized a spot a foot behind the ball carrier and went for that.I was blessed to watch him play.

We need that attitude back. Tn,record for Most Tackles—(Career) 547, Andy Spiva, 1973-76

:hi:

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

This thread is bound to re-emerge again in 2015.

 

[StoVol]

Andy Spiva was an old school type of linebacker.On a tackle he visualized a spot a foot behind the ball carrier and went for that.I was blessed to watch him play.

We need that attitude back. Tn,record for Most Tackles—(Career) 547, Andy Spiva, 1973-76

:hi:

Man that many tackles is sick. Tells you he was tough. Most guys would get injured with that many collisions. Sadly I started following right after he graduated and don't remember him. Great to hear it from the older vols. I thought Keith Delong broke the tn record for tackles in a game, prob Spiva's, with something like 22. I was around to see that. Not sure if it was or still is the record. 20 or more is insane really

 

[1972 Grad]

Andy Spiva played alongside another excellent Vol linebacker by the name of Gregg Jones. Each one of them made over 20 tackles in a single game during their careers. There was some great linebacker play on some very mediocre teams.

I wanted to illustrate how good that Spiva and Greg Jones were playing together at linebacker in the mid-70's, so I did a search on utsports.com.

Total tackles in a game:
1) Tom Fisher against Auburn 1964: 28
2) Greg Jones against Alabama 1976: 25
3) Greg Jones against Vandy 1977: 25
4) Andy Spiva against Vandy 1975: 25

Solo tackles in a game:
1) Tom Fisher against Auburn 1964: 21
2) Greg Jones against Vandy 1977: 19
3) Keith DeLong against Alabama 1988: 19
4) Greg Jones against Alabama 1976: 17

Total tackles season:
1)Andy Spiva 1976: 134 tackles
2) Greg Jones 1976: 110 tackles

Total tackles career:
1) Andy Spiva 1973-76: 547 tackles
4) Greg Jones 1974-77: 377 tackles

These 2 guys (Spiva and Jones) played together in 1974, 75, and 76 and are ranked in the top 4 of many all-time U.T. tackling records, and are number one and two all-time for total tackles in a single season, which was 1976.

 

[1972 Grad]

To clarify, there were 2 Greg Jones who played for U.T. The other was a tackle about 10 years ago. The linebacker in the record book came from Tennessee High in Bristol.

 

[KBVol]

I wanted to illustrate how good that Spiva and Greg Jones were playing together at linebacker in the mid-70's, so I did a search on utsports.com.

Total tackles in a game:
1) Tom Fisher against Auburn 1964: 28
2) Greg Jones against Alabama 1976: 25
3) Greg Jones against Vandy 1977: 25
4) Andy Spiva against Vandy 1975: 25

Solo tackles in a game:
1) Tom Fisher against Auburn 1964: 21
2) Greg Jones against Vandy 1977: 19
3) Keith DeLong against Alabama 1988: 19
4) Greg Jones against Alabama 1976: 17

Total tackles season:
1)Andy Spiva 1976: 134 tackles
2) Greg Jones 1976: 110 tackles

Total tackles career:
1) Andy Spiva 1973-76: 547 tackles
4) Greg Jones 1974-77: 377 tackles

These 2 guys (Spiva and Jones) played together in 1974, 75, and 76 and are ranked in the top 4 of many all-time U.T. tackling records, and are number one and two all-time for total tackles in a single season, which was 1976.

Great work Grad! Spiva and Jones were all-timers for sure. I was at the '88 game when Delong had the 19 solos. Felt like he had about 50 tackles that day

 

[RichRollin]

To clarify, there were 2 Greg Jones who played for U.T. The other was a tackle about 10 years ago. The linebacker in the record book came from Tennessee High in Bristol.

But this can't be true...we all know Tennessee doesn't produce good football players. (sarcasm)

 

[RichRollin]

Big shout out to A.J. Johnson...138 tackles this past season. 21 tackles against Miss. State. I bring this up because all I hear is negativity about him from a fair amount of our fans. He sucks in pass coverage blah blah blah.

Here we are celebrating the likes of Spiva 40 years later. I'm not saying A.J. Is on par with Spiva...I'm not even comparing them at the end of the day. But some of our fans need a reality check. They wouldn't know greatness if it smacked them in the forehead. A.J. Is a special player...let's hope it doesn't take our spoiled fans 40 years to give him his due.

UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics - Football

 

[1972 Grad]

But this can't be true...we all know Tennessee doesn't produce good football players. (sarcasm)

Strange. Maybe it was different back then!!! I think that a bunch of the credit for Tennessee's linebacker play in the late 60's through mid-70's goes to the linebacker coach Lon Herzbrun. Herzbrun played at U.T. and was from Maryville.

He was the head coach at Knox Fulton in the early -mid 60's where he coached D.D. Lewis, the great Cowboy's linebacker. After coming to U.T. he coached Jack Reynolds, Steve Kiner, Jackie Walker, Jamie Rotella, Andy Spiva, and Greg Jones among others in his 7 or 8 year stint. Sadly, he was purged from the system when Majors became coach. Herzbrun became defensive co-ordinator at Maryville College.

I personally don't think that our linebacker play ever improved over the Herzbrun years.

 

[1972 Grad]

Big shout out to A.J. Johnson...138 tackles this past season. 21 tackles against Miss. State. I bring this up because all I hear is negativity about him from a fair amount of our fans. He sucks in pass coverage blah blah blah.

Here we are celebrating the likes of Spiva 40 years later. I'm not saying A.J. Is on par with Spiva...I'm not even comparing them at the end of the day. But some of our fans need a reality check. They wouldn't know greatness if it smacked them in the forehead. A.J. Is a special player...let's hope it doesn't take our spoiled fans 40 years to give him his due.

UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics - Football

Agreed. He is a good one.

 

[RichRollin]

Strange. Maybe it was different back then!!! I think that a bunch of the credit for Tennessee's linebacker play in the late 60's through mid-70's goes to the linebacker coach Lon Herzbrun. Herzbrun played at U.T. and was from Maryville.

He was the head coach at Knox Fulton in the early -mid 60's where he coached D.D. Lewis, the great Cowboy's linebacker. After coming to U.T. he coached Jack Reynolds, Steve Kiner, Jackie Walker, Jamie Rotella, Andy Spiva, and Greg Jones among others in his 7 or 8 year stint. Sadly, he was purged from the system when Majors became coach. Herzbrun became defensive co-ordinator at Maryville College.

I personally don't think that our linebacker play ever improved over the Herzbrun years.

If its came close it would be under Chavis. But you bring up a good point about the home bred players. Look at the all time All American and All SEC list for the Vols. amazing how many are from....Tennessee. But it also meant something to be from Tennessee and put it on for your state. These kids nowadays...many of them lack that sense of pride. And it's rather bothersome to say the least.

 

[1972 Grad]

If its came close it would be under Chavis. But you bring up a good point about the home bred players. Look at the all time All American and All SEC list for the Vols. amazing how many are from....Tennessee. But it also meant something to be from Tennessee and put it on for your state. These kids nowadays...many of them lack that sense of pride. And it's rather bothersome to say the least.

I went back and checked the rosters during the years that Herzbrun coached linebackers at U.T. The period was 1969-1976, 8 seasons. Here is a list of linebackers that he coached at U.T. during that period who all went on to at least get into training camp in the pros. Some didn't earn a job, and some went on to the WFL, or Canadian Football League, or made it in the NFL, but all were good enough to be drafted or given a tryout. The first is D.D. Lewis of the Dallas Cowboys, but Herzbrun was his high school coach.

While at U.T. for 8 seasons:

1) Ray Nettles
2) Art Reynolds
3) Jamie Rotella
4) Steve Poole
5) Craig Puki
6) Jack Reynolds
7) Steve Kiner
8) Jackie Walker
9) Jamie Rotella
10)Andy Spiva
11)Greg Jones

That was the period when we were known as Linebacker U.

 

[RichRollin]

I went back and checked the rosters during the years that Herzbrun coached linebackers at U.T. The period was 1969-1976, 8 seasons. Here is a list of linebackers that he coached at U.T. during that period who all went on to at least get into training camp in the pros. Some didn't earn a job, and some went on to the WFL, or Canadian Football League, or made it in the NFL, but all were good enough to be drafted or given a tryout. The first is D.D. Lewis of the Dallas Cowboys, but Herzbrun was his high school coach.

While at U.T. for 8 seasons:

1) Ray Nettles
2) Art Reynolds
3) Jamie Rotella
4) Steve Poole
5) Craig Puki
6) Jack Reynolds
7) Steve Kiner
8) Jackie Walker
9) Jamie Rotella
10)Andy Spiva
11)Greg Jones

That was the period when we were known as Linebacker U.

That's an awesome list! I still think we're LBU. Add Chavis coached LBs to that list and it's hard to argue against.

 

[LWSVOL]

My brother's 58th birthday would've been last week and, feeling nostalgic, I Googled his name and found VolNation! How impressive it was to read all the good things people were remembering about him personally, his UT career and his short time with the Atlanta Falcons. I am thrilled to realize just how much others loved and admired Andy and to know that the world still misses this great person!!

you may have or you may not have but I have some video of when your brother played. if you are interested shoot me an email, lwsvol@gmail.com.