Upcoming Event: Football versus Tulane on September 5, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
Football
vs Tulane
Cutcliffe Mentor Majors Passes Away
6/4/2020 3:30:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Johnny Majors, who hired David Cutcliffe away from Banks (Ala.) High School to join the coaching staff at the University of Tennessee in 1982, passed away at the age of 85 earlier this week in Knoxville, Tenn.
Â
"Karen and I have heavy hearts today; very heavy hearts," Cutcliffe said. "Our deepest sympathies to Mary Lynn and the entire Majors family. College football has lost one of the truly great players and coaches the game has ever had. There is no person in coaching who I carry more respect for than Coach Majors. He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime in 1982 – to coach college football and make a positive impact on the lives of young people – and for that I will forever be grateful. But it was so much more than just providing an opportunity to join his staff; it was mentorship and guidance and for not only football, but life.Â
Â
"He was a man of principle, held the highest of standards for himself and those around him and gave so much to our great game," Cutcliffe continued. "The lessons he taught me were so much more than what I gave in return. I know he's in a better place, and for that I am thankful, but that doesn't stop me from wishing there was one more conversation with him to say 'thank you and I love you'."
Â
Majors was an All-America halfback at Tennessee, twice earned Southeastern Conference MVP honors and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1956. He led the Volunteers to a 33-20 win over Duke in Durham on October 6, 1956 by rushing seven times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Majors was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Â
Following a brief professional playing career, Majors went on to serve as the head coach at Iowa State (1968–1972), Pittsburgh (1973–1976; 1993–1996) and Tennessee (1977–1992) compiling a record of 185–137–10. In 1976, he guided Pittsburgh to a perfect 12-0 record and the national championship, and the Panther coaching staff included defensive coordinator Bobby Roper, father of current Duke assistant coach Zac Roper and former Duke assistant coach Kurt Roper.
Â
Cutcliffe served as an assistant coach under Majors at Tennessee from 1982-92. During the 11-season stretch, the Volunteers captured three SEC championships (1985, 1989 & 1990), won nine or more games in seven seasons, participated in 10 bowl games with seven victories including a 31-27 triumph over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl to cap an 11-1 campaign in 1989.
Â
Â
Â
"Karen and I have heavy hearts today; very heavy hearts," Cutcliffe said. "Our deepest sympathies to Mary Lynn and the entire Majors family. College football has lost one of the truly great players and coaches the game has ever had. There is no person in coaching who I carry more respect for than Coach Majors. He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime in 1982 – to coach college football and make a positive impact on the lives of young people – and for that I will forever be grateful. But it was so much more than just providing an opportunity to join his staff; it was mentorship and guidance and for not only football, but life.Â
Â
"He was a man of principle, held the highest of standards for himself and those around him and gave so much to our great game," Cutcliffe continued. "The lessons he taught me were so much more than what I gave in return. I know he's in a better place, and for that I am thankful, but that doesn't stop me from wishing there was one more conversation with him to say 'thank you and I love you'."
Â
Majors was an All-America halfback at Tennessee, twice earned Southeastern Conference MVP honors and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1956. He led the Volunteers to a 33-20 win over Duke in Durham on October 6, 1956 by rushing seven times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Majors was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Â
Following a brief professional playing career, Majors went on to serve as the head coach at Iowa State (1968–1972), Pittsburgh (1973–1976; 1993–1996) and Tennessee (1977–1992) compiling a record of 185–137–10. In 1976, he guided Pittsburgh to a perfect 12-0 record and the national championship, and the Panther coaching staff included defensive coordinator Bobby Roper, father of current Duke assistant coach Zac Roper and former Duke assistant coach Kurt Roper.
Â
Cutcliffe served as an assistant coach under Majors at Tennessee from 1982-92. During the 11-season stretch, the Volunteers captured three SEC championships (1985, 1989 & 1990), won nine or more games in seven seasons, participated in 10 bowl games with seven victories including a 31-27 triumph over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl to cap an 11-1 campaign in 1989.
Â
Â
Wednesday, May 27
Tuesday, April 28
Friday, April 10
Friday, April 03
