Cyclone Johnny Majors: Iowa Time Machine May 21, 1935

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On May 21, 1931, Iowa State football coach Johnny Majors was born. As the first coach to lead Iowa State to a bowl game, Majors turned the program around over a memorable five-year stretch, elevating the Cyclones to a new level of success.

Majors played high school football for the Huntland High School of Franklin County, Tennessee, and helped the Hornets win the state championship in 1951. A standout halfback at the University of Tennessee, he gained All-American status in 1956 and twice won the SEC MVP. Majors finished second to Paul Hornung in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1956.

After a brief stint playing professionally in Canada and serving as an assistant coach at several SEC schools, Majors arrived in Ames to take his first head coaching job in 1967. He was the 24th head football coach at Iowa State, leading the Cyclones for five seasons from 1968 to 1972.

Taking over a dismal Iowa State program, Majors helped turn the program around and posted a 24–30–1 record over five seasons. The Cyclones steadily improved under his leadership, and he led them to their first-ever bowl games in 1971 and 1972. Majors ranks 9th at Iowa State in total wins and 13th in win percentage. #Iowa #OTD #History #Football #NCAAfootball