Bowden Wyatt

Bio

Bowden Wyatt was everything General Bob Neyland wanted in a player at Tennessee. He was dedicated, hard-working and intelligent - all the characteristics Neyland admired. Wyatt was a high school fullback. General Neyland, as Tennessee coach, made him an end. Wyatt was a strong blocker, good receiver, and hard tackler. He started every game for three years as Tennessee went 23-5-3. In 1938, he made first-team All-America and captained a team that went 11-0 and beat Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. It was Tennessee's first bowl game. He was a first-teamer again in 1939 and was a unanimous pick in 1940. Wyatt was assistant coach at Mississippi State 1939-41 and 1946. (He was a lieutenant in the Navy in World War II). He was head coach at Wyoming 1947-52 and Arkansas 1953-54. Neyland had become Tennessee's director of athletics and he brought Wyatt back as head coach. Wyatt held that position eight years, 1955-62. He ended his coaching career as assistant at Oklahoma State 1964-65. Wyatt's 16-year totals as head coach were 99-56-5. He won four league championships - at Wyoming in the Skyline 1949-50, Arkansas in the Southwest 1954, and Tennessee in the Southeastern 1956. His 1956 Tennessee team went 10-1, and Wyatt was the nation's Coach of the Year.

Career Highlights

• 1938 All-Conference
• 1938 Consensus All-America