The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Tennessee: a football coaching history

Power Program II#19 of 138–
See Tennessee’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
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Program GOAT
Phillip Fulmer
0 Dynasty · 7 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Phillip Fulmer
Power Program I → Blue Blood (+13.6)
The fall
Bowden Wyatt
Blue Blood → Power Program II (−10.2)
Right now
Josh Heupel
the 8th-best of Tennessee's 11 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)NeylandBarnhillWyattDickeyBattleMajorsFulmerJonesHeupel19401960198020002020

Every coach

2021–now
Josh Heupelcaretaker
Josh Heupel moved Tennessee from Power Program III to Power Program II in 6 seasons.
+8.1
45–20
2018–2020
Jeremy Pruittcaretaker
Jeremy Pruitt held Tennessee at Power Program III for 3 seasons.
Power Program III
16–19
2017–2017
Brady Hokeshort tenure
0–2
2013–2017
Butch Jonescaretaker
Butch Jones moved Tennessee from Power Program III to Power Program II in 5 seasons.
Power Program II
34–27
2012–2012
Jim Chaneyshort tenure
1–0
2010–2012
Derek Dooleycaretaker
Derek Dooley held Tennessee at Power Program II for 3 seasons.
Power Program II
15–21
2009–2009
Lane Kiffinshort tenure
7–6
1992–2008
Phillip Fulmertransformer
Phillip Fulmer took Tennessee from Power Program I to Blue Blood.
+13.6
151–52
1977–1992
Johnny Majorsinheritor
Johnny Majors inherited a Power Program I Tennessee and won with it.
Power Program I
116–62
1970–1976
Bill Battleinheritor
Bill Battle inherited a Power Program I Tennessee and won with it.
Power Program I
59–22
1964–1969
Doug Dickeycaretaker
Doug Dickey moved Tennessee from Power Program II to Power Program I in 6 seasons.
+9.5
46–15
1963–1963
Jim McDonaldshort tenure
5–5
1955–1962
Bowden Wyattinheritor
Bowden Wyatt inherited a Blue Blood Tennessee and won with it.
−10.2
49–29
1953–1954
Harvey Robinsonshort tenure
10–10
1941–1945
John Barnhillinheritor
John Barnhill inherited a Power Program I Tennessee and won with it.
Power Program I
32–5
1936–1952
Bob Neylandcaretaker
Bob Neyland held Tennessee at Blue Blood for 12 seasons.
Blue Blood
97–24