Who Has the Worst Winning Pct Since 1964
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IBleedOrange24/7
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BeltwayVol
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Guys, I've been studying Vol History and was AMAZED at some of the facts that I have found about Robert Neyland. I'm going to share some of the highlights of my notes, but I really am impressed with the General, and I think that some of the newer fans should know what he did for us.
Robert Reese Neyland was born February 17, 1892 in Greenville, Texas- the son of a lawyer (Robert) and a schoolteacher (Pauline). Spent a year at Burleson Junior College and then studied engineering at Texas A&M. Earning an appointment at West Point, he gained fame through his athletic skills. He reigned for three years as the schools heavyweight boxing champ and established a 35-5 pitching record that included 20 straight wins. Offered contracts by several professional teams including the Boston Red Sox who owned the rights to a young pitcher named George Herman Ruth. Neyland spurned baseball and joined the army. He served his country in World War 1 and was hired by the University of Tennessee in 1925 as an ROTC instructor. For an additional $700 he would assist head football coach M.B. Banks. When Banks left a year later, Neyland was elevated to head coach.
Neyland went 16-3-2 against Vanderbilt. Tennessees record before Neyland against Vandy was 2-17-2
1925- A year before Neyland assumed command, Tennessees stadium held 3,200 fans and the programs net profit was $55.85. Within four years the stadium had swelled to 17,860 seats and profits had made a similar quantum leap.
Two terms in the Armed Services cost Neyland five years of his coaching prime, his feats still qualify as legendary. First seven years produced 61 victories, 2 losses, and 5 ties. As a three-touchdown underdog, his 1928 team stunned Alabama 51-13 at Tuscaloosa in a game many observers believe launched Tennessee into elite status. He won 33 straight regular-season games between 1937 and 1941, including remarkable 17 shutouts in a row. His 21-year coaching record shows 173 wins, 31 losses, and 12 ties, with a remarkable 112 shutouts. He put together nine undefeated regular seasons, fielding a 1939 team that went unbeaten, untied, and unscored-upon. He claimed two Southern conference titles, five Southeastern Conference Championships, one consensus national title (1951), and three fractional national championships (1938, 40, 50). To this day his winning percentage of 82.9 is the finest of any head coach with at least 20 years experience. Neyland never lost to Bear Bryant, registering 5 wins and only 2 ties.
Although not known as an innovator, Neyland is credited with being the first coach to use game films to evaluate his own team and scout opponents; outfit his backs and receivers in tear away jerseys to help them break tackles; transmit information to the sidelines via a press box phone; and cover the field with a tarp to limit water damage.
Robert Reese Neyland was born February 17, 1892 in Greenville, Texas- the son of a lawyer (Robert) and a schoolteacher (Pauline). Spent a year at Burleson Junior College and then studied engineering at Texas A&M. Earning an appointment at West Point, he gained fame through his athletic skills. He reigned for three years as the schools heavyweight boxing champ and established a 35-5 pitching record that included 20 straight wins. Offered contracts by several professional teams including the Boston Red Sox who owned the rights to a young pitcher named George Herman Ruth. Neyland spurned baseball and joined the army. He served his country in World War 1 and was hired by the University of Tennessee in 1925 as an ROTC instructor. For an additional $700 he would assist head football coach M.B. Banks. When Banks left a year later, Neyland was elevated to head coach.
Neyland went 16-3-2 against Vanderbilt. Tennessees record before Neyland against Vandy was 2-17-2
1925- A year before Neyland assumed command, Tennessees stadium held 3,200 fans and the programs net profit was $55.85. Within four years the stadium had swelled to 17,860 seats and profits had made a similar quantum leap.
Two terms in the Armed Services cost Neyland five years of his coaching prime, his feats still qualify as legendary. First seven years produced 61 victories, 2 losses, and 5 ties. As a three-touchdown underdog, his 1928 team stunned Alabama 51-13 at Tuscaloosa in a game many observers believe launched Tennessee into elite status. He won 33 straight regular-season games between 1937 and 1941, including remarkable 17 shutouts in a row. His 21-year coaching record shows 173 wins, 31 losses, and 12 ties, with a remarkable 112 shutouts. He put together nine undefeated regular seasons, fielding a 1939 team that went unbeaten, untied, and unscored-upon. He claimed two Southern conference titles, five Southeastern Conference Championships, one consensus national title (1951), and three fractional national championships (1938, 40, 50). To this day his winning percentage of 82.9 is the finest of any head coach with at least 20 years experience. Neyland never lost to Bear Bryant, registering 5 wins and only 2 ties.
Although not known as an innovator, Neyland is credited with being the first coach to use game films to evaluate his own team and scout opponents; outfit his backs and receivers in tear away jerseys to help them break tackles; transmit information to the sidelines via a press box phone; and cover the field with a tarp to limit water damage.
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