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Tennessee Volunteers Football History
The University of Tennessee first fielded a varsity football team in 1891 and became a charter member of the Southeastern Conference in 1932. Robert Neyland was a major architect both literally and figuratively in the Volunteers' success in the 20th century and beyond. A brigadier general during World War II, Neyland coached Tennessee from 1926 to 1934, 1936 to 1940 and 1946 to 1952, leading the Vols to four national championships, five SEC championships and two Southern Conference championships. Neyland is not only the namesake of Tennessee's stadium – his input in renovating the field's infrastructure has been the basis for every major phase of renovation since the 1960s.
Johnny Majors was a star at halfback for Tennessee in the '50s, and after leading Pitt to a national championship in 1976, returned to Knoxville as a coach from 1977 to 1992. Phillip Fulmer then went on to lead the Volunteers to a BCS National Championship in 1998, as quarterback Tee Martin and wide receiver Peerless Price helped defeat Florida State, 23-16, in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl to cap off an undefeated season. The Volunteers have had some of the greatest football players of all time suit up for them, including defensive end Reggie White from 1980 to 1983 and quarterback Peyton Manning from 1994 to 1997, as well as Derek Barnett, Cordarrelle Patterson and Alvin Kamara.
While the Tennessee-Alabama game is not always played on the "Third Saturday of October," the name is synonymous with one of the most storied rivalries in the SEC. Tennessee also has historic rivalries against the University of Kentucky, University of Florida and in-state Southeastern Conference member Vanderbilt.
Tennessee Volunteers Team Info
Conference: Southeastern Conference
Team Colors: Orange, White
Team Rivals: Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Kentucky Wildcats, South Carolina Gamecocks, Vanderbilt Commodores
Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium
The Vols play in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, which opened as Shields-Watkins Field in 1921. With the on-campus stadium’s current capacity of 101,915, Neyland Stadium is the eighth largest stadium in the world. The team is currently coached by Josh Heupel.