Tennessee-Pitt series branded as the ‘Johnny Majors Classic’

Tennessee and Pittsburgh are set for a fascinating week two matchup, and the game officially has a name. The Volunteers and Panthers will take part in the Johnny Majors Classic, paying tribute to the legendary head coach who coached at both schools.

It will be the first meeting between the two schools since the 1983 season. The series will kickoff on September 11th in Knoxville, and continue in 2022 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

“Honoring Johnny Majors in this way creates another really special and unique element to an already-special season as we celebrate Neyland Stadium’s centennial,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “I appreciate Pittsburgh’s partnership on this. It will be a memorable day for the Majors family as well as fans of both schools who appreciate Johnny Majors’ hall of fame legacy.”

Majors served as Pitt’s head coach twice, from 1973-1976 and from 1993-1996. He left the program to take over at Tennessee in 1977, where he served until 1992. Majors ended his career with a 185-137-10 mark.

Before his coaching career, Majors was a College Football Hall of Fame caliber player at Tennessee. The Lynchburg native played for the Volunteers from 1954-1956. He was the SEC Player of the Year in 1956, earning All-American honors as a running back, while also finishing second in the Heisman Trophy voting.

The two sides will come together to honor Majors over the next two years. Majors passed away in January of 2020 at 85 years old.