Robert Neyland: The West Point Engineer Who Built Tennessee Football

By Timothy D. Johnson

"Johnson's noteworthy book is a masterful combination of history, sportswriting, and biography rich in information not found elsewhere." -Booklist, Starred Review

A celebration of coaching great Robert Neyland

Robert Neyland was not your typical college football coach. A graduate of West Point and veteran of both world wars, Neyland often played a dual role as both an army officer and football coach, shifting seamlessly between the two professions. At the University of Tennessee, he ran his program like the army and amassed an impressive 173-31-12 record.

In Robert Neyland: The West Point Engineer Who Built Tennessee Football, Timothy D. Johnson provides deep insight into Neyland's life and incredible career. Featuring interviews with the only living former players from the Neyland era, and including new details from the Robert R. Neyland Family Papers, Johnson brings Neyland's story to life, revealing how Neyland's success resulted from his stern discipline and ability to put together consistently dominant defenses. It's a story that is sure to not only fascinate fans of Tennessee football, but sports and military historians, as well.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FS26P5C5
• ISBN13: 9798216201724
• Release Date: July 2026
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.1"