Johnny Majors (1935–2020) was a true Tennessee legend whose impact on college football and the University of Tennessee endures. A standout All-American tailback for the Volunteers, he finished second in the 1956 Heisman Trophy voting and later played professionally in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1957–1958) before injuries cut his career short.

Majors began his coaching career as an assistant, including a stint at the University of Arkansas, before becoming head coach at Iowa State (1968–1972), where he revitalized a struggling program. He then moved to the University of Pittsburgh (1973–1976), leading the Panthers to a national championship in 1976 and establishing himself as one of the game’s elite coaches.He returned home to Knoxville as head coach of the University of Tennessee (1977–1992), where he led the Volunteers to three SEC championships (1985, 1989, 1990) and restored pride and prominence to the program he once represented as a player. He later had a second stint at Pittsburgh (1993–1996), further adding to his long and influential coaching career. Known for his toughness, passion, and unwavering love for Tennessee, Coach Majors shaped generations of young men both on and off the field. The Johnny Majors Memorial Foundation carries forward his legacy of leadership, perseverance, and Volunteer spirit.