Sport(s) Football 1941–1945 Tennessee Died October 21, 1973 1925–1927 Tennessee 1946–1949 Arkansas | 1931–1934 Tennessee (freshmen) Name John Barnhill Positions Guard 1935–1940 Tennessee (line) Role American football player | |
Born February 23, 1903
Savannah, Tennessee ( 1903-02-23 ) | ||
Education University of Tennessee | ||
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.
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Tennessee
Barnhill was an All-Southern lineman under coach Robert Neyland at the University of Tennessee, including the SoCon champion 1927 team. As a player, he weighed 175 pounds.
Coaching and administrative career
Barnhill was the head coach for the University of Tennessee for four seasons from 1941 to 1945. He coached the team during World War II, managing the squad during the absence of General Robert Neyland who left for the War. During this 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. 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 legendary 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.
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.