Johnny Majors early struggle at UT

[EaglesVols91]

Note that I was 100% for the Dooley firing and I actually wanted him gone after the Kentucky game last year because it was obvious that he lost the team and couldn't coach worth s***, but it was interesting to see Johnny Majors first 4 years (and even longer) and see how much society has changed. Sports is a must win now and there is no patience whatsoever. I just hope Coach Jones has enough time to put his system in place before people are calling for his head. The Dooley situation is different because it was obvious that he was getting out coached in every game and that he didn't know what the hell he was doing, but if we are competing strong and if it looks like we are playing to win (like the 09 year) instead of playing not to lose, then I hope our fanbase gives CBJ a fair chance to get his system and players in place. Here is Majors first four years on the job.

1977 Tennessee 4–7 1–5 8th
1978 Tennessee 5–5–1 3–3 T–4th
1979 Tennessee 7–5 3–3 T–5th L Bluebonnet
1980 Tennessee 5–6 3–3 6th

Pretty lackluster, but he was able to turn it around and Fulmer took it to a whole new level after that. CBJ has a completely different attitude than Dooley and he wants to win championships here. Let's support him and give him the appropriate time to turn this train wreck around.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Johnny Majors went 12-0 in 1976 and won the National Championship at the University of Pittsburgh. Think about this.... He left the defending national championship team to return home to Tennessee. So even though his record wasn't too good in those early years, we always knew that he COULD win. Because he had won before.

Since Dooley always lost before we hired him, we could not say the same thing for him. I honestly do not think that Derek Dooley will ever be able to put together 2-3 winning seasons. He just doesn't know how to relate to players. And as he ages, that is only going to get worse.

 

[GreveHaller]

it took 9 seasons before CJM even finished ranked. No way in todays instant gratification era that he would ever last that long

 

[EaglesVols91]

Johnny Majors went 12-0 in 1976 and won the National Championship at the University of Pittsburgh. Think about this.... He left the defending national championship team to return home to Tennessee. So even though his record wasn't too good in those early years, we always knew that he COULD win. Because he had won before.

Since Dooley always lost before we hired him, we could not say the same thing for him. I honestly do not think that Derek Dooley will ever be able to put together 2-3 winning seasons. He just doesn't know how to relate to players. And as he ages, that is only going to get worse.

That is why I wanted Dooley gone a year ago, but Butch has won in two different places. Cincy went 4-8 in his first year there. Just hope fans don't blow up his twitter again if we go 5-7 again next season.

 

[Jax_Vol]

That is why I wanted Dooley gone a year ago, but Butch has won in two different places. Cincy went 4-8 in his first year there. Just hope fans don't blow up his twitter again if we go 5-7 again next season.

No, he will get three years. I think everyone is prepared for another five win season in 2013. It saves me a lot of money not going to bowl games and sec championship games and the such....lol!

 

[Rudy123]

Note that I was 100% for the Dooley firing and I actually wanted him gone after the Kentucky game last year because it was obvious that he lost the team and couldn't coach worth s***, but it was interesting to see Johnny Majors first 4 years (and even longer) and see how much society has changed. Sports is a must win now and there is no patience whatsoever. I just hope Coach Jones has enough time to put his system in place before people are calling for his head. The Dooley situation is different because it was obvious that he was getting out coached in every game and that he didn't know what the hell he was doing, but if we are competing strong and if it looks like we are playing to win (like the 09 year) instead of playing not to lose, then I hope our fanbase gives CBJ a fair chance to get his system and players in place. Here is Majors first four years on the job.

1977 Tennessee 4–7 1–5 8th
1978 Tennessee 5–5–1 3–3 T–4th
1979 Tennessee 7–5 3–3 T–5th L Bluebonnet
1980 Tennessee 5–6 3–3 6th

Pretty lackluster, but he was able to turn it around and Fulmer took it to a whole new level after that. CBJ has a completely different attitude than Dooley and he wants to win championships here. Let's support him and give him the appropriate time to turn this train wreck around.

Johnny is the equal to Manning returning to U.T. to coach, when our program is horrible. Because we know that Majors is a U.T. man, we give him more time to turn it around. We believe in him!!!!

 

[gasguy98]

Note that I was 100% for the Dooley firing and I actually wanted him gone after the Kentucky game last year because it was obvious that he lost the team and couldn't coach worth s***, but it was interesting to see Johnny Majors first 4 years (and even longer) and see how much society has changed. Sports is a must win now and there is no patience whatsoever. I just hope Coach Jones has enough time to put his system in place before people are calling for his head. The Dooley situation is different because it was obvious that he was getting out coached in every game and that he didn't know what the hell he was doing, but if we are competing strong and if it looks like we are playing to win (like the 09 year) instead of playing not to lose, then I hope our fanbase gives CBJ a fair chance to get his system and players in place. Here is Majors first four years on the job.

1977 Tennessee 4–7 1–5 8th
1978 Tennessee 5–5–1 3–3 T–4th
1979 Tennessee 7–5 3–3 T–5th L Bluebonnet
1980 Tennessee 5–6 3–3 6th

Pretty lackluster, but he was able to turn it around and Fulmer took it to a whole new level after that. CBJ has a completely different attitude than Dooley and he wants to win championships here. Let's support him and give him the appropriate time to turn this train wreck around.

Lackluster but the trend was positive.

 

[Backwards K]

Johnny was given a very long leash. UT played a much easier schedule and he survived a 21-23 start in his first four years, a mediocre 86 season coming on the heels of the great 85 season and the 88 0-6 start to the season.

Johnny had a hard time adjusting to the restrictions on recruiting. If he had been hired in 70 when Battle was hired, UT would have signed 125 freshmen (like Pitt did that year) and probably continued to build on the foundation Dickey laid.

 

[TnTech_Vol]

I think CBJ will win at least 6 games next year if not more, 5 of the cream puffs, I include Auburn just cause of this yrs disaster and one other.

Austin Peay (W)
Western KY (W)
Oregon
Florida
South Alabama (W)
Georgia
South Carolina
Alabama
Missouri
Auburn (W)
Vanderbilt
Kentucky (W)

 

[Jax_Vol]

And Johnny signed a heck of a big recruiting class and had some terrible luck with that bunch...Lee Otis Burton being example # 1.


There was next to zero discussion of firing Johnny after four years....we knew he would get it done.


With Derek....I never really felt that way. All you had to do is watch a little and you can tell that the 2012 Vols were a very poorly coached team. There is no doubt.

 

[cgbtn]

If you think Dooley was dealt a bad hand, you wouldn't believe what Battle left for Majors. I think Pug Jenkins a starting defnsive tackle weighed about 190 lbs. It is ironic that Battle failed so miserably as a recruiter, because working for Dickey, he was the one who set up Tennessee's national recruiting program. Dickey, before Battle, and Majors, after Battle, used the system much more successfully than did Battle himself.

 

[Jax_Vol]

If you think Dooley was dealt a bad hand, you wouldn't believe what Battle left for Majors. I think Pug Jenkins a starting defnsive tackle weighed about 190 lbs. It is ironic that Battle failed so miserably as a recruiter, because working for Dickey, he was the one who set up Tennessee's national recruiting program. Dickey, before Battle, and Majors, after Battle, used the system much more successfully than did Battle himself.

Yes, the 1976 team was much worse than the 2009 team.

Johnny came marching home only to discover that the "cupboard was bare". I think that was the quote he used.

Might have been, "the well was dry"

 

[OldandStillaVol]

Coach Majors also had some big wins early on - Notre Dame, Auburn blowout at Auburn, so fans could see the potential. Even if the overall record isn't what we want, I am hopeful that Coach Jones will have some signature wins early on.

 

[Rudy123]

I think CBJ will win at least 6 games next year if not more, 5 of the cream puffs, I include Auburn just cause of this yrs disaster and one other.

Austin Peay (W)
Western KY (W)
Oregon
Florida
South Alabama (W)
Georgia
South Carolina
Alabama
Missouri
Auburn (W)
Vanderbilt
Kentucky (W)

I would not count on Auburn as a win. Even in years when we could go head to head with them, we ended up losing to them.
the last loss to them was in Auburn and Ainge was the q.b. We should have won that game!!!!

 

[Jax_Vol]

Coach Majors also had some big wins early on - Notre Dame, Auburn blowout at Auburn, so fans could see the potential. Even if the overall record isn't what we want, I am hopeful that Coach Jones will have some signature wins early on.

Yes, good point! If Coach Jones can pull one of two upsets in the first couple of years, then the fans can see the potential. Johnny did do that. Dooley didn't.

 

[Zues1]

Johnny Majors was a returning Tennessee hero.

Dooley was, well a loser...........

 

[utvolpj]

I would not count on Auburn as a win. Even in years when we could go head to head with them, we ended up losing to them.
the last loss to them was in Auburn and Ainge was the q.b. We should have won that game!!!!

that was Crompton at QB and it was one of the worst games I've ever watched.

 

[Backwards K]

Coach Majors also had some big wins early on - Notre Dame, Auburn blowout at Auburn, so fans could see the potential. Even if the overall record isn't what we want, I am hopeful that Coach Jones will have some signature wins early on.

Agreed but that made it even more frustrating to see:

1. The big win over ND sandwiched between a home loss to Rutgers and a blow out loss to a bad Ole Miss team in Jackson.
2. The 80 team that won at Auburn 42-0 finished the season 5-6 including losses to Virginia (HC) and Ole Miss.

He was given a long leash but I also remember the "We made a Majors' mistake" bumper stickers.

With that being said, Majors had a plan and past success. Dooley had neither.

 

[Backwards K]

Yes, the 1976 team was much worse than the 2009 team.

Johnny came marching home only to discover that the "cupboard was bare". I think that was the quote he used.

Might have been, "the well was dry"

Johnny rode that excuse for a long time. That served as the model for Coach Billy Joe Tom Bob Parker and the fighting Possums (anyone else remember that?).

I knew some guys on the 77 team and they laughed about how Majors would be pumping them up at practice about how they could beat anyone. Then, they would see him on TV moaning about how "the cupboard was bare" and how difficult it was going to be for the Vols to beat anyone.

 

[wmcovol]

Dooley proved he wasn't ready for the job almost from day one with his horrible ability to make decisions that were successful. He made numerous bad decisions that resulted in his program not being successful. It's not as much about the record, although it was a big factor as it was the program had poor leadership.

 

[WillisWG]

Watching CJM coached teams was sure not for the faint of heart. I was surprised he didn't get fired in 81 or 82. In 81 opened up with GA then USC going 0-2 and outscored 87-7.

 

[vols-1]

it took 9 seasons before CJM even finished ranked. No way in todays instant gratification era that he would ever last that long

It took him 12 years before he had back to back 9 win seasons. Maybe it's the instant gratification era or maybe Johnny just wasnt that great?

 

[ETNVol]

Johnny Majors had an up and down, inconsistent tenure at UT. I don't think anyone should be using his mediocre reign as UT coach as justification or positive reinforcement for Butch Jones.

 

[Vol Fanatic82]

Majors could sign as many players as he wanted while he was at Pitt. Majors national championship team had 130 players on scholarship. The very next year the cap was placed at 95 and whittled down to where it is today, 85. I worked for Majors as a trainer from 1977-1982. He would tell you that they would give a player a scholarship just to keep him from going to Penn State or Notre Dame. Bear Bryant said the same about Auburn. With limitations recruiting took on a whole new meaning and player evaluation became a more exact science. Remember Majors first recruiting class? One of the top in the country. How did it pan out?

In the 70's the power schools dominated. Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, USC...and they would win games 59-6. Big games were wars. Remember the old Texas\Oklahoma, Oklahoma\Nebraska games...in the 80's the power schools stopped dominating as much and other powers were born, like Miami who was in the recruiting hotbed...Florida State got born...and the Notre Dames etc started to suffer.

It is recruiting, then coaching plain and simple. Period. We were at our best in the 90's due in part to the struggles of Bama, UGA, and South Carolina. Remember the 1997 Georgia Florida All Star Game....and who won?
Tennessee won because the three stars of the game were Jamal Lewis, Deon Grant, and the big lineman I can't remember.

Now the power schools are there because of the science of recruting and then coaching them. But it starts with talent. Calipari is right, take talent every time.

Majors took guys in the late 70's based on their HS merit and they didn't really study recruiting...and a lot of those players didn't pan out...he got successful when UGA and USC and UF to some degree suffered, then he got Heath Shuler...why? Because Phillip Fulmer recruited him... Coach Fulmer helped put Majors over the top in the late late 80's and early 90's.///

 

[NEVolFan]

Yes, the 1976 team was much worse than the 2009 team.

Johnny came marching home only to discover that the "cupboard was bare". I think that was the quote he used.

Might have been, "the well was dry"

The bottle was empty.