John_Barnhill_(American_football)

John Barnhill (American football)

John Barnhill (American football)

American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator (1903–1973)


John Henry "Barnie" Barnhill (February 23, 1903 – October 21, 1973) was an American football player and coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head coach at the University of Tennessee (1941–1945) and the University of Arkansas (1946–1949), compiling a record of 54–22–5.

Quick Facts Biographical details, Born ...

Tennessee

Barnhill was an All-Southern lineman under coach Robert Neyland at the University of Tennessee, including the SoCon champion 1927 team.[1]

Coaching and administrative career

Barnhill was the head coach for the University of Tennessee for four seasons from 1941 to 1945.[2] He coached the team during World War II, managing the squad during the absence of General Robert Neyland, who left for the war. During that period he led Tennessee to a record of 32–5–2.

In 1946, after Neyland's return to Tennessee, Barnhill was hired by the University of Arkansas as both head football coach and athletic director.[3] Barnhill gave up the head coaching position in 1949 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He continued as athletic director at Arkansas until 1971 and was responsible for hiring head coach Frank Broyles, who ultimately replaced Barnhill as athletic director.

Death and honors

Barnhill died of heart failure on October 21, 1973, at a hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas.[4]

Barnhill Arena, the former men's basketball and current women's athletic facility at the University of Arkansas, was named for him. Barnhill is a member of both the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Head coaching record

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References

  1. "John Barnhill". Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  2. Lay, Ken (April 20, 2020). "Vols' football history 1941-1945: Head coach John Barnhill". Vols Wire. USA Today. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  3. "JOHN BARNHILL DIES; EX‐FOOTBALL COACH". New York Times. October 22, 1973. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  4. "John Barnhill Dies at Fayetteville". The Courier News. Blytheville, Arkansas. Associated Press. October 22, 1973. p. 3. Retrieved March 13, 2017 via Newspapers.com Open access icon.

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