Timothy D. Johnson, Ph.D.
Historian | Author | Speaker
When you dig into aspects of history, you begin to see connections and you learn things about the past that are relevant to the present. You'll never get to those little gems unless you do the digging.
Coming Soon
Robert Neyland: The West Point Engineer Who Built Tennessee Football
Robert Neyland: The West Point Engineer Who Built Tennessee Football will be published by Bloomsbury Publishing in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Neyland's first year as head coach. It is the first biography in decades of the iconic UT coach who built one of the most dominant football programs of the 20th century. In it, author and historian Timothy Johnson goes beyond the gridiron to capture General Neyland's time as a West Point cadet and his experience in both world wars. Johnson's rich narrative provides deep insight and first-hand accounts of Neyland's incredible dual career as he balanced two professions and excelled at both. This captivating story will fascinate not only football fans but sports and military historians as well.
"I have forever believed that Robert Neyland is the most underappreciated figure in college football history. Timothy Johnson's tireless work is the reintroduction that the General has long deserved and the reeducation that the world has long needed."
"Robert Neyland is the father of Tennessee football and Timothy Johnson captures the essence of the man in a captivating manner. Every Volunteer fan needs to read the book!"
"General Neyland lived an extraordinary life long before he was a Vols legend. This book preserves a complete picture of Neyland that might have otherwise been lost to history."
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