I tip my hat to the history of the Tennessee program. It's been a great program for a long time.
In the 40s and 50s, Gen. Neyland was one of the finest coaches ever. The greatest college coach of all time, Bear Bryant, basically couldn't beat Neyland.
The late 60s and early 70s was a classic time with some of the best defensive players in the country, especially at linebacker. I recall a great Orange Bowl in 1968 between Oklahoma and UT. Karl Kremser, one of the first soccer style kickers, missed FG on the last play of the game and the Sooners held on for a 26-24 win. I remember some great battles during the late 60s and early 70s with Joe Paterno and Penn State. I remember Condredge Holloway, the first African American starting QB in the SEC who went on to a great career in the CFL and eventually returned to be an Assoc. AD. Some titanic struggles with Alabama during these years. Good coaches like Doug Dickey and Bill Battle. I remember the great wide receiver Richmond Flowers, whose father was the atty general of Alabama...Flowers decided to attend UT in part because his father took flack for some sympathy to the civil rights movement.
Under Dickey and Battle, UT recruited the state of Ohio. Players like Paul Naumoff and the famous Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds.
Last Edited: 9/13/2016 8:34:45 PM by Jeff McKinney