Remembering Johnny Majors

I know what the 1976 University of Pittsburgh title won under coach Johnny Majors, who died days back, at age 85, meant to my friend Beano Cook.

After the great Marshall Goldberg led teams and frankly after the Majors coached and Tony Dorsett led ’76 title team, the “title cupboard” has been bare at “Pitt.”

However, they do have that 1976 title, 20 years after Johnny Majors, a great Tennessee player and later coach (he also coached at Iowa State) finished second to Paul Hornung, in the Heisman Trophy race.

Tony Dorsett’s tribute to his coach resonates and follows:

“He was more than just an integral part of my college football career; he was a dear friend who continued his relationship with me far beyond my playing days,” Dorsett said in a statement. “He took a young high school kid and showed him how to be a leader and a man. My prayers are with his family, the Pitt community and all the players and coaches who have been a part of his life. Rest in heaven, Coach.”

Johnny Majors, pictured above. 

Coach Majors moved Tony Dorsett in the backfield and that sparked Pittsburgh to a (24-7) win vs Penn State, to complete an undefeated regular season in 1976. 

The video above offers perspective on that game.