The Tennessee Volunteers men's track and field program represents the University of Tennessee in the sport of track and field. The indoor and outdoor programs compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Vols host their home outdoor meets at the newly renovated Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium, located on the university's Knoxville, Tennessee campus. Their rich tradition of success features 4 national titles, 7 finishes as national runner-ups, 62 NCAA individual champions, numerous All-Americans, 25 Olympians, 43 SEC championships (a conference-leading 25 outdoor wins), and 109 combined scoring appearances in the NCAA indoor and outdoor championships. The team is led by current head coach Duane Ross who took over the program after Beth Alford-Sullivan in May 2022.
History The Tennessee Volunteers men's track and field program began in 1901 and first started intercollegiate competition in 1909 when the SIAA was formed. Records before the 1921 season were not kept, and are therefore incomplete. The Vols did not compete in the 1918 and 1919 seasons due to World War I. The team later joined the Southeastern Conference in 1933 where they have competed for the past 75 years. The sport was also kept on hold from 1943–1946 because of World War II and would later resume outdoor meets in 1947 and indoor meets in 1960.
Since the formation of the SEC the Tennessee Volunteers have been a consistent force in competition winning a combined 43 SEC titles, 3 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and 1 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship.
Several coaches are responsible for the historical success of the UT track & field program. Chuck Rohe finished with a record of 87–10 (.896) and won an astonishing 15 consecutive SEC titles. Stan Huntsman took over the program in 1971 and would continue the success started by Rohe. During his tenure he led the Vols to a record of 93-26-3 (.775), 20 SEC titles and won the program's first NCAA title. In 1986 Doug Brown became the 4th coach for the Vols track & field team and finished with a 53–8 (.869) record and won 4 SEC titles and 1 NCAA title. Bill Webb took the program over following the 1995 season and would finish with a 52–1 (.981) record and an unprecedented 4 SEC titles and 2 NCAA titles, becoming the first coach to win multiple national titles at Tennessee.
Christian Coleman became the first Vol to win The Bowerman, an award that honors collegiate track & field's most outstanding athlete of the year. In 2017, Coleman swept NCAA titles in the 60 meters indoors and 100 meters outdoors, setting collegiate records in both.
Head coaches Source # Coach Years Seasons National Championships Conference Championships Indoor Outdoor Indoor Outdoor1John Bender19201––––2M. B. Banks19211––––3A.W. Hobt1922-19265––––4Bill Britton1927-19359––––5Blair Gullion1936-19383––––6John Barnhill1939-19413––––7Sim Efland19421––––8Walter Mehl19471––––9Carlton Crowell1948-19503––––10Louis Schneider19511––––11John Sines1952-19598––––12Ralph Patterson1960-19623––––13Chuck Rohe1963-19719––8714Stan Huntsman1971-198515–171315Doug Brown 1986-199510–12216Bill Webb1996-200914111317J.J. Clark2010-20145––––18Beth Alford-Sullivan2015-20228––––19Duane Ross2023-2–––– Total131825
Yearly Record Source Season Coach NCAA Conference Indoor Outdoor Indoor Outdoor SIAA1920John Bender–––14th1921M. B. Banks––––1922A.W. Hobt–––6th Southern Conference1923A.W. Hobt–––3rd (14)1924A.W. Hobt–––T-6th (9)1925A.W. Hobt––––1926A.W. Hobt–––18th (1.5)1927Bill Britton––––1928Bill Britton–––T-14th (5)1929Bill Britton–––T-10th (7)1930Bill Britton–––7th (16.5)1931Bill Britton–––11th (6)1932Bill Britton–––T-14th (5)Southeastern Conference1933Bill Britton–––T-5th (15)1934Bill Britton–––6th (16.3)1935Bill Britton–––T-6th (14) 1936Blair Gullion–––T-5th (21)1937Blair Gullion–––T-8th (6)1938Blair Gullion–––9th (5)1939John Barnhill–––11th (2)1940John Barnhill–––10th (5.167)1941John Barnhill–––5th (17.5)1942Sim Efland–––9th (8)1943-1946 No Team1947Walter Mehl–––8th (7.5)1948Carlton Crowell–––T-9th (9)1949Carlton Crowell–––T-6th (16)1950 Carlton Crowell–T-32nd (2.1)–5th (28.3)1951Louis Schneider–41st (1/6th)–3rd (33)1952John Sines–––4th (33.5)1953John Sines–––T-3rd (25)1954John Sines–––9th (7)1955John Sines–––7th (16)1956John Sines–T-46th (1)–8th (13)1957John Sines–––9th (9)1958John Sines–––8th (18.82)1959John Sines–––9th (7)1960Ralph Patterson–––T-9th (1)1961Ralph Patterson–––11th (5)1962Ralph Patterson–––10th (2)1963Chuck Rohe––7th (0)8th (7)1964Chuck Rohe––1st (41)1st (61)1965Chuck Rohe–T-40th (4)1st (50)1st (72)1966Chuck Rohe39th (1)T-32nd (6)1st (42)1st (91)1967Chuck Rohe–T-5th (24)1st (58)1st (72)1968Chuck Rohe6th (12.75)T-14th (10)1st (75)1st (108)1969Chuck RoheT-4th (16)9th (28)1st (111)1st (118.5)1970Chuck RoheT-4th (14)13th (16)1st (92.5)1st (74)^1971Rohe/Huntsman10th (8.25)13th (16)1st (80)1st (148)1972Stan HuntsmanT-23rd (4)T-10th (16)2nd (62)1st (154)1973Stan HuntsmanT-8th (8)5th (24)1st (80)1st (190)1974Stan HuntsmanT-9th (7)1st (60)1st (69)1st (207.5)1975Stan HuntsmanT-40th (7)6th (60)4th (33.5)1st (215)1976Stan Huntsman3rd (40)3rd (40)2nd (40)1st (179)1977Stan Huntsman–14th (13)2nd (54.5)1st (168)1978Stan Huntsman28th (6)T-17th (4)2nd (112)1st (173)1979Stan HuntsmanT-4th (24)T-11th (20)2nd (106)2nd (133)1980Stan Huntsman3rd (38)T-18th (11)3rd (102)3rd (87)1981Stan Huntsman3rd (33)3rd (50)1st (140)1st (156)1982Stan HuntsmanT-5th (23)2nd (94)1st (138)1st (171.5)1983Stan Huntsman5th (26)2nd (102)1st (127)1st (121)1984Stan HuntsmanT-20th (8)27th (19)1st (114)1st (112)1985Stan Huntsman2nd (23)T-9th (25)1st (127)1st (129.5)1986Doug Brown10th (10)T-21st (13)1st (119)1st (158)1987Doug BrownT-26th (6)T-27th (19)2nd (110)2nd (128.5)1988Doug Brown51st (1)–3rd (97)4th (88)1989Doug Brown–56th (3)2nd (114)4th (78)1990Doug BrownT-13th (10)T-11th (21)2nd (92)2nd (124.3)1991Doug BrownT-31st (7)1st (51)1st (146)1st (183)1992Doug Brown35th (2)2nd (46.5)3rd (108)2nd (149)1993Doug Brown3rd (25)4th (44)2nd (81)3rd (183)1994Doug Brown2nd (40)3rd (38)2nd (87)2nd (145)1995Doug Brown2nd (26)5th (31)2nd (88)2nd (155.5)1996Bill Webb11th (19)T-10th (19)1st (92)2nd (124.3)1997Bill WebbT-10th (16)T-47th (5)3rd (71.5)4th (88)1998Bill Webb–T-51st (4)5th (108)4th (149)1999Bill WebbT-15th (15)T-12th (22)4th (81)3rd (183)2000Bill Webb13th (14)15th (17)5th (58)3rd (107.75)2001Bill Webb9th (19)1st (50)3rd (88)1st (155.5)2002Bill Webb1st (62.5)2nd (57)2nd (130)1st (147)2003Bill Webb5th (23)T-7th (30)4th (69)2nd (111.5)2004Bill WebbT-56th (2)T-13th (20)6th (60)4th (108)2005Bill WebbT-16th (14)T-19th (14)3rd (89)3rd (109)2006Bill Webb5th (25)6th (30)2nd (106)2nd (126.5)2007Bill WebbT-10th (21)4th (31)2nd (115.5)1st (129.5)2008Bill Webb5th (26)13th (21)3rd (99.5)3rd (97.5)2009Bill Webb38th (5)48th (5)3rd (78)8th (53)2010J.J. Clark–45th (5)10th (24.5)9th (46)2011J.J. ClarkT-39th (5)T-64th (1)7th (46.3)8th (49)2012J.J. Clark–T-56th (3)7th (40.5)10th (30)2013J.J. ClarkT-40th (5)T-77th (.75)T-8th (32)T-11th (33)2014J.J. Clark–T-18th (12)9th (34)11th (24.5)2015Beth Alford-Sullivan17th (11)T-18th (10.5)7th (48)12th (28.5)2016Beth Alford-Sullivan3rd (34)6th (30)8th (24.5)9th (46)2017Beth Alford-SullivanT-10th (20)T-7th (20)10th (23.5)T-9th (25.5)2018Beth Alford-SullivanT-53rd (3)55th (3)7th (44)6th (65.5)2019Beth Alford-SullivanT-35th (7)T-61st (1)6th (50)7th (68)2020Beth Alford-Sullivan––5th (67)–2021Beth Alford-Sullivan9th (21)11th (21)6th (50)T-6th (67)2022Beth Alford-Sullivan3rd (31) 3rd (34)6th (50)3rd (83)2023Duane Ross11th (18) T-22nd (11)5th (54)3rd (87)2024Duane RossT-44th (3)T-37th (9)T-8th (32.5)6th (56) Total131825 Note: The 2020 season was canceled after the SEC Indoor Championships due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the SEC Outdoor and both NCAA Championships were not held.
^Chuck Rohe coached the 1971 team through the indoor season, while Stan Huntsman took over the program for the outdoor championships.
NCAA Individual Event Champions
The Vols have claimed 26 NCAA Indoor individual championships and 36 NCAA Outdoor individual champions all-time.
+Indoor1968Richmond Flowers60y Hurdles7.01969Womble, Kelly, Hardy, McAlhaneyMile Relay3:14.61976Preyor, Barlow, Harris, MorganMile Relay3:16.031979Hunter, Barlow, Harris, MorganDistance Medley Relay9:47.11980Anthony Blair440y48.71982David Patrick880y1:49.941983Willie Gault60y6.181983Willie Gault60y Hurdles6.981985Sam Graddy60y6.121994José Parrilla800m1:47.771994Randy JenkinsHigh Jump2.31m (7-7)1994Lawrence JohnsonPole Vault5.82m (19-1.50)1995Tim MackPole Vault5.60m (18-4.50)1996Lawrence JohnsonPole Vault5.65m (18-6.50)1997Aaron AusmusShot Put19.01m (62-4.50)1999Leonard Scott60m6.582002Justin Gatlin60m6.592002Justin Gatlin200m30.632003Gary Kikaya400m45.712003Jabari Greer60m Hurdles7.552006Aries Merritt60m Hurdles7.512008Rubin Williams200m20.362016Christian Coleman200m20.552017Christian Coleman60m6.452017Christian Coleman200m20.112022Wayne PinnockLong Jump7.92m (26-0)
+Outdoor1970Bill SkinnerJavelin82.49m (270-8)1972Willie Thomas800m1:48.721973Doug Brown3000m Steeplechase8:28.11974Reggie Jones100y9.181974Willie Thomas880y1:48.721974Doug Brown3000m Steeplechase8:35.941975Reggie Jones220y20.601976Young, Gardner, Morgan, Jones4x100 Relay39.161976Phil OlsenJavelin83.26m (273-2)1980Horne, Wilson, Preyor, Blair4x400m Relay3:03.941981Canady, Wilson, Preyor, Blair4x400m Relay3:03.081982David Patrick400m Hurdles48.441983Grady, Towns, Scott, Gault4x100m Relay39.221984Sam Graddy100m10.251985Terry Scott100m10.021991Aric LongDecathlon7,9161992José Parrilla800m1:46.451992Brian BrophyDecathlon8,2761993José Parrilla800m1:46.511993Randy JenkinsHigh Jump2.28m (7-5.75)1994José Parrilla800m1:46.011994Randy JenkinsHigh Jump2.31m (7-7)1995Lawrence JohnsonPole Vault5.69m (18-8.25)1996Lawrence JohnsonPole Vault5.81m (19-1)1999Tom PappasDecathlon8,1842001Justin Gatlin100m10.082001Justin Gatlin200m20.112002Justin Gatlin100m10.082002Justin Gatlin200m20.182002Gary Kikaya400m44.532003Stephen HarrisDecathlon8,0612006Aries Merritt110m Hurdles13.212016Jake BlankenshipPole Vault5.60m (18-4.5)2017Christian Coleman100m10.042017Christian Coleman200m20.252022Wayne PinnockLong Jump8.00m (26-3)
Conference Individual Event Champions
Tennessee Vol athletes have won a total of 174 SEC Indoor individual titles, and 228 SEC Outdoor individual crowns through the end of the 2024 season.
+ Indoor55-Meter Hurdles560-Yard Hurdles1160-Yard Low Hurdles155 Meters660 Meters4200 Meters6400 Meters5600 Yards9800 Meters121000 Meters6Mile63000 Meters115000 Meters64x400-Meter Relay84x800-Meter Relay14Distance Medley Relay4High Jump11Long Jump5Triple Jump10Pole Vault18Shot Put9Weight Throw3Pentathlon3Heptathlon3
+Outdoor110-Meter Hurdles17400-Meter Hurdles4100 Meters10200 Meters12400 Meters4800 Meters191500 Meters163000 Meters63000m Steeplechase115000 Meters610000 Meters104x100-Meter Relay154x400-Meter Relay9High Jump9Long Jump8Triple Jump9Pole Vault19Shot Put5Discus5Hammer Throw4Javelin15Decathlon15
Tennessee Volunteer Olympians Through the 2024 Summer Olympics, 29 Tennessee athletes have represented 9 different nations at the Olympic Games, winning a total of 5 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
Medalists Athlete Country Olympics Event MedalChristopher Bailey2024 Paris4x400 m relayGold 2004 Athens 100 m Gold4x100 m relay Silver200 m Bronze2012 London 100 m Bronze 100 m Silver 1984 Los Angeles 4x100 m relay Gold100 m Silver Lawrence Johnson 2000 Sydney Pole vault Silver 2004 Athens Pole vault Gold 2012 London 110 m hurdles Gold
Participants