Newsletter

Gene Wojciechowski

Dear Quarterbacker,

Gene Wojciechowski will be our final speaker of the season on Monday. Wojciechowski is a University of Tennessee graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism. He has covered college football and basketball for the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times and covered the NFL for the Dallas Morning News and Denver Post. Wojciechowski began working for ESPN in 1992 as a football reporter. In 1998, he became a senior writer for ESPN the Magazine and was named a senior national sports writer for ESPN in 2005. He has also co-authored several books that include Reggie Miller, Jerome Bettis, Bill Walton, and Rick Majerus.

This will be our final meeting for the year. The Big Orange Tip-off Club will get started in January and would love for you to be a member. The e-mail for information is: tipoff@bigorangetipoff.com. Thank you to Jeff, Skip and all the volunteers and sponsors for helping our club be successful.

21 November: Gene Wojciechowski ESPN

Yesterday’s Hero: Chris White; DB; 1982-1985

Rick Neuheisel

Current CBS college football analyst on College Football Today, Rick Neuheisel, will be our speaker this week. During his time as a quarterback for UCLA, Neuheisel was the MVP of the Rose Bowl, set the NCAA completion percentage record for a single game (25 of 27 passes), won a PAC-10 Championship, and set a UCLA completion percentage record for a season that still stands. After graduation, he spent a few seasons in the USFL and then a few games in the NFL during the strike season.

Neuheisel then went to law school at USC, but was a grad assistant at UCLA. He became a full-time assistant at UCLA and then in 1994 went to Colorado. After the 1994 season, Colorado coach, Bill McCartney, retired and Neuheisel became the head coach at 34. After four seasons there, he left to become Washington’s head coach. He led the Huskies to an 11-1 record in 2000 and a number three ranking in the final poll.

After Neuheisel left Washington, he coached at a high school and then he was an assistant coach for the Baltimore Ravens. In 2008, he was hired by UCLA as their head coach. From 2008-2011, Neuheisel went 21-29 and never beat rival USC. Neuheisel was let go in 2011. Come hear Neuheisel as he should be an entertaining and knowledgeable speaker.

14 November: Rick Neuheisel CBS

Yesterday’s Hero: Bill Mayo; OL; 1981-1984

21 November: Gene Wojciechowski ESPN

Yesterday’s Hero: Chris White; DB; 1982-1985

Coach Tony Vitello

Dear Quarterbacker,

UT baseball coach, Tony Vitello, will be our speaker on Monday. Vitello was named the baseball coach in June of 2017 and has transformed the club into one of the best and most exciting teams in the country. During his tenure with the Vols, he has signed and developed three first round draft picks and had 27 players taken in the baseball draft.

The 2022 team was one of the best teams in Tennessee history. They won both the SEC regular season and SEC tournament, they were the first Division I team to lead the country in both home runs and ERA since 1972, and led the nation in several other categories. They won 57 games and had 10 players selected in the draft. Vitello went on to earn Perfect Game Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. He is known for his relationship with his players and investing in the program. We look forward to hearing from Tony Vitello.

7 November: Tony Vitello UT Baseball Coach

Yesterday’s Hero: Lee North; OL; 1978-1981

14 November: Rick Neuheisel CBS

Yesterday’s Hero: Bill Mayo; OL; 1981-1984

Menu:

Smoked Pork BBQ

Grilled Chicken Teriyaki

Macaroni and Cheese

Steamed Broccoli

Coach Rick Barnes

Dear Quarterbacker,

Eighth year UT basketball coach, Rick Barnes, will be our featured speaker this week. The Vols have several dynamic freshman that will complement the returning veteran players. This should be an exciting season for the Vols. Barnes was awarded the Naismith Coach of the Year for the 2018-2019 season. That year, the Vols tied a school record for wins with a record of 31-6 and held the number 1 ranking for a time during the regular season. Last season, the Cols spent the entire season ranked in the top 25. Barnes also led UT to its first SEC Tournament championship in 43 years.

Barnes previously coached at Texas from 1998-2015. While at Texas, Barnes led the Longhorns to 17 NCAA tournament appearances and a final four. He has a career coaching record of 754-395 and is responsible for stabilizing and leading the Tennessee basketball program to new heights. Come hear from our basketball coach and learn about this year’s team and players.

31 October: Rick Barnes UT Basketball Coach

Yesterday’s Hero: Mike Mauck; DB; 1974-1976

7 November: Tony Vitello UT Baseball Coach

Yesterday’s Hero: Lee North; OL; 1978-1981

Dear Quarterbacker,

We welcome former University of Georgia and University of Miami head coach, Mark Richt as our speaker.

Richt was primarily a back-up quarterback at the University of Miami. He played behind future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, Jim Kelley, as well as future Heisman quarterback Vinny Testaverde and Bernie Kosar. He spent a brief time with the Denver Broncos and played behind John Elway.

After his playing days, Richt was hired by Bobby Bowden at Florida State. During his time at Florida State, he coached six future NFL quarterbacks. In 2001, Richt became head coach at Georgia. During his career at Georgia, he won two SEC championships, six Eastern Division championships, and went to three Bowl Championship bowl games. He amassed a 145 win and 51 loss record at Georgia.

In 2015, he became head coach at the University of Miami. He was the coach during the 2016-2018 seasons and led them to their first ACC Coastal title during that time. He was named the ACC coach of the year as well.

24 October: Mark Richt, Former Georgia Head Coach

Yesterday’s Hero: Carl Johnson, DE, 1970-1972

31 October: Rick Barnes

Yesterday’s Hero: Mike Mauck; DB; 1974-1976

Menu:

Pork Barbecue

Baked BBQ Chicken

Potato Salad

Cole Slaw

Baked Beans

Dear Quarterbacker,

Byron Young and Aaron Beasley, Tennessee defensive players, will be our speakers this Monday.

Here is how the University of Tennessee site describes these two:

Byron Young:

One of the top returning edge rushers in the SEC who enters his second and final season on Rocky Top … Made an immediate impact in his first season on campus in 2021 after establishing himself as one of the top junior college recruits in the nation for the class a year prior … Considered to be an outstanding 2023 NFL Draft prospect … Committed to the Vols on National Signing Day in December 2020 and chose UT over multiple SEC programs … Prepped in South Carolina before pursuing a junior college career … Played in 15 games with 12 starts and logged 55 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Aaron Beasley:

Veteran starting Mike linebacker who is seeking to build on his outstanding junior campaign a year ago … Played in 33 games and made 14 starts and owns two seasons of remaining eligibility … Tallied 115 career tackles with 8.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks … Forced one fumble and owns two fumble recoveries … Came to Tennessee after a stellar prep career in Georgia.

10 October: Byron Young and Aaron Beasley: UT Defensive Players

Yesterday’s Hero: Randy Sanders, QB, 1985-1988

17 October: David Cutcliffe Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Football Relations at the SEC

Yesterday’s Hero: Steve Kiner, LB, 1967-1969

Meal:

Smoked Beef Brisket

Fried Chicken

Mac and Cheese

Steamed Broccoli

Dear Quarterbacker,

Former LSU and national championship coach, Ed Orgeron, was scheduled to be our speaker on Monday. However, Orgeron has had a last minute cancellation and UT safeties Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough will be our speakers.

Here is how the University of Tennessee site describes these two:

Trevon Flowers:

Instinctive and talented safety who returns as a starter for the third straight season … Also illustrates his playmaking skills as part of the return game … Served as one of Tennessee’s three player representatives at 2022 SEC Media Days in his hometown of Atlanta … Had one of the best springs on the squad and emerged as one of the top leaders … Member of UT’s leadership council … Appeared in 38 games with 28 starts … Notched 186 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 11 passes defended and one forced fumble … Arrived in Knoxville as a three-sport star and baseball prospect out of Atlanta but chose to focus on football.

Jaylen McCollough:

Veteran starting safety who is one of Tennessee’s defensive leaders … In his fourth straight season as a starter and owns two seasons of remaining eligibility … Teams up with Trevon Flowers to form one of the best 1-2 safety punches in the SEC … Has played in every game since his true freshman season at Tennessee, a total of 39 games … Started 30 games at safety … Owns 137 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions, 12 pass breakups and one forced fumble … Enrolled at Tennessee in the spring of 2019 after a four-star high school career in Georgia.

3 October: Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough

Yesterday’s Hero: Jay Graham, Running Back 1993-1996

10 October: Byron Young and Aaron Beasley: UT Defensive Players

Yesterday’s Hero: Randy Sanders, QB, 1985-1988

Dear Quarterbacker,

On Monday we will welcome Neyland Award Winner, Dick Sheridan as our speaker. We will also have UT offensive lineman Jerome Carvin and Javontez Spraggins as well.

Sheridan coached at Furman University from 1975-1985 with a record of 69-23-2. He led the Paladins to 6 Southern Conference Championships during his time. He was named the AFCA Division 1-AA Coach of the Year in 1985. After his time at Furman, Sheridan coached NC State from 1986-1992 with a record of 52-29-3. His time included six bowl games. In 2020, Sheridan was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame.

From UT Website:

Jerome Carvin: Veteran, dominant offensive lineman who has illustrated his versatility his entire career … Elected to return for his fifth and final year in college before pursuing NFL career … Came to Tennessee as one of the top prospects out of Memphis … Played in 49 games with 32 starts during his career – 17 at right guard, 10 at left guard and five at center … Saw action on 2,084 total offensive snaps … Did not allow a sack in 2021 and has issued only one sack since the beginning of the 2019 season.

Javontez Spraggins: Powerful returning starting offensive guard coming off a solid sophomore campaign … Made an impact in his debut season and became a mainstay at right guard as a sophomore … Owns three more seasons of eligibility … Two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll … Played in 22 games with 15 career starts, including 14 at right guard and one at tight end in a jumbo package … Saw action on 1,090 career snaps.

26 Sept: Dick Sheridan (Neyland Award Winner); Jerome Carvin and Javontez Spraggins (Tennessee Offensive Lineman)

Yesterday’s Hero: Don McLeary, Running Back 1968-1970

3 October: Ed Orgeron Former LSU Coach

Yesterday’s Hero: Jay Graham, Running Back 1993-1996

On Monday we will welcome Tennessee quarterbacks Tayven Jackson and Navy Shuler as our speakers. Jackson is a Freshman and this is what 247 had to say about him: “Athletic passer with good physical traits. Has height and the body to fill in. Multi-sport guy who does athletic tasks fluidly and easily on the field. Mobile and elusive in the pocket. Can take off and make plays with his feet. Gets rid of the ball quickly, does not try to hold it too long or sandlot play despite his athleticism. Did not throw a high volume of balls in high school compared to other top quarterback recruits and must continue to polish pure passing skills and mechanics. May need a year or two in college, but has a high ceiling.” Shuler is the son of former Tennessee quarterback, Heath Shuler, and transferred from Appalachian State. This was from the University of Tennessee site: Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … Starred for Christ School in Arden, North Carolina … Over his final two prep seasons, threw for more than 6,000 yards with 64 touchdowns … Finished high school career with a 67.3 completion percentage … Averaged 209.5 passing yards per game as a senior … Led his team to the state finals as a junior and became the first Western North Carolina (WNC) quarterback to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a single season … Had a game with 581 passing yards and six touchdowns in 2018 … Played for coaches Nick Luhm and Tommy Langford … Committed to the Vols in December 2021.

19 Sept:

Speaker: UT Football Quarterbacks Tayven Jackson and Navy Shuler

Yesterday’s Hero: Curt Watson, Running Back 1969-1971

26 Sept: Dick Sheridan (Neyland Award Winner); Jerome Carvin and Javontez Spraggins (Tennessee Offensive Lineman)

Yesterday’s Hero: Don McLeary, Running Back 1968-1970

Coach Heupel

Dear Quarterbacker,

Welcome back to the football season! This is a reminder that the 71th year of the Knoxville Quarterback Club will be kicking off its first meeting on Monday, September the 12th at Calhoun’s on the River. The club is excited to welcome everyone back as we honor a yesterday’s hero, a high school athlete of the week, and an outstanding official of the week. Jeff Hagood has done an excellent job of booking some outstanding speakers.

The list of speakers will be posted on www.knoxqbclub.com. Your membership application can be accessed on the website, you can get one at the door, and one has been mailed as well. There is a printable version on the website that you can mail or bring to the first meeting. You can also follow the club on Facebook and Twitter.

Coach Josh Heupel will be our speaker on Monday. Heupel played at Weber State and Snow College where he battled injuries and playing time. He transferred to Oklahoma after meeting with new coach Bob Stoops and excelled. In 2000, Heupel was an All-American, AP Player of the Year, Walter Camp Award winner and Heisman runner-up. The sooners also won the National Championship.

Come welcome Josh Heupel to the Knoxville Quarterback Club!

12 September:

Speaker: Josh Heupel

Yesterday’s Hero: Honoring the Deceased Vols

19 Sept: UT Football Quarterbacks Tayven Jackson and Navy Shuler

Yesterday’s Hero: Curt Watson, Running Back 1969-1971

Dear Quarterbacker,

It’s football time in Tennessee! Likewise, regular luncheon meetings of the Knoxville Quarterback Club return at Calhoun’s on the River Monday, September 12^th when our guest will be Coach Josh Heupel.

Each following week of the season will bring an array of interesting speakers who will join us live from the podium. And for the latest news from The Hill, Rick Barnes and Tony Vitello are guests that you will not want to miss.

Returning this year, our club will enjoy weekly updates by visiting members of the Volunteer football coaching staff. And new this year, we will have the opportunity to hear from Vol players as they visit for various luncheons throughout the season.

While the Board has worked to minimize the effects of inflation, you will notice the membership application does reflect a dues increase for the first time in a few years. The cost of lunch will also increase to $20 and for those not enjoying the buffet, Calhoun’s will be charging a set-up fee.

Schedule for the season is as follows:

Sept 12: Josh Heupel

Sept 19: Travon Jackson/Navy Shuler

Sept 26: Dick Sheridan/Elis Gould & Jerome Carvin/Javontez Spraggins

Oct 3: Ed Orgeron

Oct 10: Byron young/Jaylen McCollough/Trevon Flowers/Aaron Beasley

Oct 17: David Cutcliffe

Oct 24: mark Richt

Oct 31: Rick Barnes

Nov 7: Tony Vitello

Nov 14: Rick Neuheisel

Nov 21: Gene Wojciechowski

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call me.

Gene Wojciechowski

Go Vols!

Rick Neuheisel

Go Vols!

Coach Tony Vitello

Go Vols!

Coach Rick Barnes

Go Vols!

Go Vols!

Meal:

Smoked Beef Brisket

Fried Chicken

Mac and Cheese

Steamed Broccoli

Go Vols!

Go Vols!

Go Vols!

Go Vols!

Coach Heupel

Go Vols!

Sincerely,

Knoxville Quarterback Club

© 2023 Knoxville Quarterback Club

Newsletter