2019 Newsletters

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 includ Reggie Miller, Jerome Bettis, Bill Walton, and Rick Majerus.

25th November:
Speaker: Gene Wojciechowski-ESPN
Assistant Coach: Drew Hughes-UT Recruiting Director
Yesterday’s Hero: Jim Dunkin

Look for information regarding the Round Ball Club.

Dear Quarterbacker,

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. Neuheisel overlooked discipline issues on the team and was targeted by the NCAA for an NCAA basketball tournament bracket and was fired. He sued the school and the NCAA and settled for 4.5 million.
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 fired in 2011. Come hear Neuheisel as he should be an entertaining and knowledgeable speaker.

18 November:
Speaker: Rick Neuheisel
Assistant Coach: Craig Fitzgerald-UT Strength Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Von Reeves

Next week:
Speaker: Gene Wojciechowski
Assistant Coach: Drew Hughes-UT Recruiting Director
Yesterday’s Hero: Jim Dunkin

Dear Quarterbacker,

UT’s Offensive and Defensive Coordinators will be speaking on Monday. Jim Chaney is the Offensive Coordinator while Derrick Ansley is the Defensive Coordinator. Both have seen their units improve over the course of the season.

Note from Pat and the Scholarship Committee:
The scholarship committee wants to thank you for your generosity towards our fundraising last week. You got the opportunity to meet Jordan Lyons HVA 2019-2020 LaTain McGhee Scholarship recipient and a reminder of what we do each year. We are half way to our goal of $2,000.00. If you have not yet contributed, please help us reach this goal.
Brian Hardy, Director of Campus-wide Development will bring some envelopes. Checks can be made to UT Foundation – cash donations (any amount appreciated) are wonderful also.
Thank you again, be proud of what you do.

11 November:
Speaker: Jim Chaney/Derrick Ansley- UT Offensive and Defensive Coordinators
Assistant Coach: Main Speakers
Yesterday’s Hero: Mark Burns

Next week:
Speaker: Rick Neueheisel
Assistant Coach: Craig Fitzgerald-UT Strength Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Von Reeves

Dear Quarterbacker,
 
Fifth year UT basketball coach, Rick Barnes, will be our featured speaker this week. Barnes led the Vols to a 31-6 record and a number 1 ranking during the season. The Vols made the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament this past year before being knocked out in the last moments of the game.
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 692-364 and is responsible for energizing the Texas basketball program. Come hear from our basketball coach and learn about this year’s team and players.

 

A note from Pat:

 

The first of November brings the start of the holiday season! With November upon us, we begin to think of all our blessings and how fortunate we truly are.
For the past several years the Knoxville Quarterback Club has awarded the LaTain McGhee Scholarship. This scholarship is given to an outstanding senior high school student, not playing or receiving a scholarship in a major sport but has been a part of the athletic program. This might be a team manager, mascot, cheerleader or spirit leader. The scholarship is for $2,000.00 which we need to fund each year. Can you believe this is the 9th year? For the last two years, we have turned the management of these funds over to the University of Tennessee, Brian Hardy, Director of Campus Wide Development. The Knoxville Quarterback Club is still responsible for raising the $2,000.00 to keep this wonderful project going.
Brian Hardy will be here Monday, November 4th to bring us up to date on the scholarship and recipient. This will be our chance to keep this wonderful scholarship active and funded! Count your blessings and be generous. This is a blessing for those who receive it!

 

4 November:
Speaker: Rick Barnes UT Basketball Coach
Assistant Coach: David Johnson: UT Running Back Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Jeff Francis
 
Next week:
Speaker: Jim Chaney/Derrick Ansley
Assistant Coach: Above
Yesterday’s Hero: Mark Burns

Dear Quarterbacker,
Tommy Bowden will be our featured speaker this week. Bowden was an assistant coach at Alabama, Auburn, Duke, Kentucky and Florida State before he became a head coach at Tulane. He spent two years at Tulane and his 1998 team went 11-0 and a top 10 final ranking. In 1999, Bowden became head coach at Clemson. Bowden coached at Clemson from 1999 through 2008 when he resigned midway through the season and Dabo Swinney took over. His teams qualified for a bowl game every year that he was there. Tommy and his father, Bobby Bowden, participated in the “Bowden Bowls” when Clemson would play Florida State.

28 October:
Speaker: Tommy Bowden Clemson/FOX
Assistant Coach: Will Friend: UT Offensive Line Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Joe Thompson

Next week:
Speaker: Rick Barnes UT Basketball Coach
Assistant Coach: David Johnson: UT Running Back Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Jeff Francis

Dear Quarterbacker,

Former South Carolina coach, Brad Scott, will be our featured speaker this week. Scott came to South Carolina in 1994. He had spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach under Bobby Bowden at Florida State. His last four years, he was the offensive coordinator and coached Heisman Trophy winner, Charlie Ward, to a national title. In his first season at South Carolina, Scott led them to their first bowl win in the program’s 102 year history.

After four years, Scott was let go from South Carolina. Scott then went on to coach at Clemson under Tommy Bowden and Dabo Swinney. He retired in 2011.

 

21 October:
Speaker: Brad Scott Former Clemson/South Carolina Coach
Assistant Coach: Bryan Niedemeyer: UT Tight End Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: John Bruin
Menu:
Fried Chicken
Meatloaf
Country Style Green Beans
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Cole Slaw
Garlic Rolls
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Next week:
Speaker: Tommy Bowden Clemson/FOX
Assistant Coach: Will Friend: UT Tight End Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Joe Thompson

Dear Quarterbacker,

Jim Donnan will be our featured speaker this week. Donnan is currently a TV analyst as well as a motivational speaker. Donnan won a Divison I-AA National Title as the coach at Marshall University. He also became head coach at the University of Georgia.

After serving as the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma under Barry Switzer, he took over the Marshall job and went 64-21 from 1990-1995, where he we went to four championship games. In 1996, he became Georgia’s head coach. While at Georgia, he led them to a record of 40-19 and four consecutive bowl victories.

Donnan was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2009. We look forward to hearing from Donnan.

14 October:
Speaker: Jim Donnan Former Georgia Coach
Assistant Coach: Tracy Rocker: UT Defensive Line Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Brad Lampley
Next week:
Speaker: Brad Scott Former Clemson/South Carolina Coach
Assistant Coach: Will Friend: UT Tight End Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Joe Thompson

Dear Quarterbacker,
 
We welcome Doug Dickey and Philip Fulmer back to the Quarterback Club on Monday. Dickey is a former Tennessee and Florida football coach and the former athletic director of Tennessee. Dickey was a walk-on at Florida as a defensive back in 1951. He wound up seventh string quarterback and worked himself into the starting position in 1952. He led the Gators to their first bowl game and win.
 
Dickey was an assistant coach on Frank Broyles staff at Arkansas from 1957-1963. He was hired as the Vols coach in 1964. Dickey led Tennessee for 6 years and won the SEC title twice. Prior to Dickey’s hire, Tennessee had not been to a bowl game since 1957. Dickey led them to 5 consecutive bowls and an overall record of 46-15-4.
 
Dickey is credited with placing the “Power T” on the helmet, having the end zones painted orange and white checkerboard, and having the Pride of the Southland Marching Band form a T for the players to run through. He also was responsible for recruiting the first African-American player to Tennessee.
 
In 1970 Dickey returned to Florida as their head football coach. He compiled a 58-43-2 in nine seasons as head coach. After the 1978 season, Dickey’s final season at Florida, he finished his coaching career with an overall record of 104-58-6.
 
From 1985-2002, Dickey served as the athletic director at Tennessee. He is credited with expanding Neyland Stadium to over 100,000 seats, Thompson-Bowling Arena, Goodfriend Tennis Center, and the Lindsey Nelson Baseball Stadium. He has won the Robert Neyland award, John Toner award, inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and College Football Hall of Fame as a coach.
 
University of Tennessee Athletic Director, Phillip Fulmer, played for the Vols from 1968-1971. After several stops as an assistant coach, Fulmer came back to Tennessee in 1980 and served as an assistant for 13 years. In 1992 he became head coach and served in that capacity until 2008. His record as a head coach was 152-52, two SEC Championships and one National Championship. Please come welcome Phillip Fulmer and Doug Dickey on Monday
 
7 October:
Speaker: Phillip Fulmer/Doug Dickey
Assistant Coach: Kevin Sherrer- UT Linebacker Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: David Allen
 
Next week:
Speaker: Jim Donnan Former Georgia Coach
Assistant Coach: Tracy Rocker: UT Defensive Line Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Brad Lampley

Dear Quarterbacker,

Paul Johnson, former Navy and Georgia Tech head coach, will be our speaker on Monday.  Johnson served as head coach at Georgia Southern from 1997-2001.  He won consecutive NCAA Division I-AA National Championships in 1999 and 2000.  Johnson then became head coach at the United States Naval Academy from 2002-2007.  In 2008, he became the head coach at Georgia Tech where he stayed until his retirement in 2018.

Johnson was known for his triple option flexbone offense.  At Navy, he went 11-1 against Air Force and Army.  In 2007, the Midshipman recorded their first win over Notre Dame since 1963 in triple-overtime.  Georgia Tech also enjoyed success under Johnson with the highlight being a 2009 season ending in the Orange Bowl.

30 September:
Speaker:  Paul Johnson- former Navy and Georgia Tech Head Coach
Assistant Coach:  Chris Weinke-UT Quarterback Coach
Yesterday’s Hero:  J.J. Surlas

Next week:
Speaker:  Phillip Fulmer/Doug Dickey
Assistant Coach:  Kevin Sherrer- UT Linebacker Coach
Yesterday’s Hero:  David Allen

Dear Quarterbacker,

Former Arkansas and Ole Miss Coach, Houston Nutt, will be our featured speaker this week. Nutt was a star football and basketball player growing up. He initially played at Arkansas, but transferred to Oklahoma State and played both sports there. After graduation, Nutt was a grad assistant for Jimmy Johnson at Oklahoma State and then Lou Holtz at Arkansas. Nutt then returned to Oklahoma State as an assistant coach and mentored Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas during his time there.After head coaching stints at Murray State and Boise State, Nutt became head coach of Arkansas in 1997.In the first six seasons, he led the Razorbacks to a bowl game in each year and averaged eight wins a year. Arkansas had up and down years for the next several years and Nutt eventually resigned in 2007.  In November of 2007, he was hired as head coach at Ole Miss. He started strong but ended with an overall record of 24-26 over four years. He is responsible for the SEC enacting the scholarship signing limits.  Please come and enjoy Houston Nutt. He is full of energy and a great speaker. We look forward to seeing you there.

16 September:
Speaker: Houston Nutt-former Arkansas and Ole Miss Head Coach
Assistant Coach: Chris Rumph-UT Outside Linebacker Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Alex Wall

Menu:
Grilled BBQ Chicken over Rice
Fried Catfish Filets
Cole Slaw
Green Beans
Spinach Maria
Next week:
Speaker: Paul Johnson- former Navy and Georgia Tech Head Coach
Assistant Coach: Chris Weinke-UT Quarterback Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: J.J. Surlas

Dear Quarterbacker,

On Monday we will welcome 1998 National Championship quarterback, Tee Martin, as our speaker. Martin was a Vol from 1996-1999. Martin was the starting quarterback in 1998 and 1999 and led the Vols to two BCS bowls. The 1998 team went 13-0 and won the National Championship. After his time at Tennessee, he was drafted in the 5th round by the Pittsburg Steelers. After four years, he left the NFL and went into collegiate coaching.

In 2010, Martin joined the Kentucky coaching staff as a wide receivers coach. After two seasons, he left Kentucky and went to University of Southern California. He has served as the wide receiver coach, passing game coordinator, and offensive coordinator. This year he came back to Tennessee and is currently serving as the Assistant Head Coach, Passing Game Coordinator, and wide receivers coach.

We look forward to hearing from Tee Martin.

Dear Quarterbacker,
Welcome back to football season! This is a reminder that the 68th year of the Knoxville Quarterback Club will be kicking off its first meeting on Monday, September the 9th at Calhoun’s on the River. Come be a part of the club 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 again this year of booking some outstanding speakers. We will have 7 former SEC head coaches, 2 ACC head coaches, and 1 PAC 12 head coach. We will also have assistant coaches speak for a few minutes.
Please visit the website at www.knoxqbclub.com to see a full list of speakers and to complete your membership application. There is a printable version that you can print off and mail or bring in to the first meeting as well. You can also follow the club on Facebook and Twitter.
Second year coach, Jeremy Pruitt, will be our speaker on Monday.
 
9 September:
Speaker: Jeremy Pruitt
Yesterday’s Hero: Honoring the Deceased Vols
 
Next week:
Speaker: Houston Nutt-former Arkansas and Ole Miss Head Coach
Yesterday’s Hero: Bob Dalton
Assistant Coach: Chris Rumph-UT Outside Linebacker Coach