Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe Has Had An Emotional Week As His Mentor Johnny Majors Passes Away At The Age Of 85

We all have our good weeks, bad weeks and emotional weeks.

For Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe he has had an emotional week.

Why?

David Cutcliffe’s mentor passed away. Who was he?

His name was Johnny Majors and he passed away at the age of 85.

Majors was an All-America halfback at Tennessee, twice earned Southeastern Conference MVP honors and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1956. He led the Volunteers to a 33-20 win over Duke in Durham on October 6, 1956 by rushing seven times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Majors was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/6/4/football-cutcliffe-mentor-majors-passes-away.aspx

Johnny Majors, hired David Cutcliffe away from Banks (Ala.) High School to join the coaching staff at the University of Tennessee in 1982, passed away at the age of 85 earlier this week in Knoxville, Tenn. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/6/4/football-cutcliffe-mentor-majors-passes-away.aspx

Cutcliffe served as an assistant coach under Majors at Tennessee from 1982-92. During the 11-season stretch, the Volunteers captured three SEC championships (1985, 1989 & 1990), won nine or more games in seven seasons, participated in 10 bowl games with seven victories including a 31-27 triumph over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl to cap an 11-1 campaign in 1989.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/6/4/football-cutcliffe-mentor-majors-passes-away.aspx

David Cutcliffe had this to say about his mentor Johnny Majors.

 
"He was a man of principle, held the highest of standards for himself and those around him and gave so much to our great game," Cutcliffe continued. "The lessons he taught me were so much more than what I gave in return. I know he's in a better place, and for that I am thankful, but that doesn't stop me from wishing there was one more conversation with him to say 'thank you and I love you'." “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/6/4/football-cutcliffe-mentor-majors-passes-away.aspx

A man of principle wasn’t all Johnny Majors was as he also was an All-America halfback at Tennessee, twice earned Southeastern Conference MVP honors and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1956. He led the Volunteers to a 33-20 win over Duke in Durham on October 6, 1956 by rushing seven times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Majors was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.https://goduke.com/news/2020/6/4/football-cutcliffe-mentor-majors-passes-away.aspx

Following a brief professional playing career, Majors went on to serve as the head coach at Iowa State (1968–1972), Pittsburgh (1973–1976; 1993–1996) and Tennessee (1977–1992) compiling a record of 185–137–10. In 1976, he guided Pittsburgh to a perfect 12-0 record and the national championship, and the Panther coaching staff included defensive coordinator Bobby Roper, father of current Duke assistant coach Zac Roper and former Duke assistant coach Kurt Roper.https://goduke.com/news/2020/6/4/football-cutcliffe-mentor-majors-passes-away.aspx