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Tennessee football: Top five coaches who worked under Johnny Majors

By Caleb Calhoun

4 Jan 1999: Head Coach Phillip Fulmer of the Tennessee Volunteers excepting an award after the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Seminoles 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport
4 Jan 1999: Head Coach Phillip Fulmer of the Tennessee Volunteers excepting an award after the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Seminoles 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport /
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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /

player. Pick Analysis. TE, RB, QB coach. David Cutcliffe. 3. 839. Scouting Report. 1982-1992

Head coaching record: 116-108 (College)

  • Ole Miss Rebels: 1998-2004 (44-29)
  • Duke Blue Devils: 2008-present (72-79)

Arguably the most beloved Tennessee football assistant coach of all time, David Cutcliffe is more famous for what he did in the 1990s than what he did under Johnny Majors. However, his development began in the 1980s with Majors allowing him to wear a bunch of different hats throughout that time.

Cutcliffe, an Alabama graduate, came to Rocky Top after coaching at Banks High School for six years, including two as a head coach. He joined Majors’ staff as an assistant in 1982, the year the Vols ended their 11-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide. The next six years, he served as tight ends coach, overseeing the first nine-win season, SEC title and 10-win season.

After offensive coordinator Walt Harris left, Cutcliffe became running backs coach, and in 1989 the Vols had the most productive rushing attack arguably ever behind Reggie Cobb and Chuck Webb as UT went 11-1 and won the SEC. He then coached quarterbacks from 1990 to 1992, helping Andy Kelly and Heath Shuler become national stars.

Obviously, Cutcliffe eventually became offensive coordinator, leading UT to an SEC and national title with Peyton Manning and Tee Martin. In six years as the Ole Miss Rebels’ head coach, he had two top 25 finishes, winning the West with Eli Manning in 2003. After being fired in 2004, he spent 2006 and 2007 back at UT and turned around Erik Ainge.

However, the guy is now a Duke legend. Still there after 12 years, he has made six bowl appearances and even won a division title with a top 25 finish in 2013. Those are insane accomplishments at Duke. And it all started with him developing under Majors.

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