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Tennessee football: Ranking all 25 full-time head coaches in Vols history

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors and offensive coordinator Phillip Fulmer watch the Vols warm up before the Memphis State game Saturday, Nov. 14, 1992Majors And Fulmer 1992
Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors and offensive coordinator Phillip Fulmer watch the Vols warm up before the Memphis State game Saturday, Nov. 14, 1992Majors And Fulmer 1992 /
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Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Pick Analysis. player. Scouting Report. 4th head coach. 1904. Sax Crawford. 24. 839

3-5-1 (1-4 SIAA)

Part of the problem of what James Depree inherited was what Sax Crawford left him. Crawford had taken over for Tennessee football two years after his final year playing for UT in 1902, as he was their quarterback in both 1901 and 1902. He inherited a team that was coming off its first losing season since returning from the lost years in 1896.

A 17-0 win over Maryville to start the 1904 season showed promise, but after tying Nashville, the Vols lost five straight. It’s unclear what could have become of the program under Crawford, but when you have one losing season as your only outing at a program, you’re likely going to be pretty far down its ranking when it comes to head coaches.

Now, there were a couple of bright spots for Crawford. Tennessee football did win its final two games. One of those was the Vols’ final game of the season, at Alabama, who were then called the Crimson White. Rocky Top won that one 5-0, and it was their first win ever in the series.

As a result, Crawford did make history. However, it’s worth noting that against the teams the Vols cared about at the time, the Vanderbilt Commodores and Sewanee Tigers, he lost 12-0 and 22-0 respectively. Getting shutout by key rivals and having a losing record is a black mark anywhere, and it keeps Crawford down on this list.

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