NASHVILLE – John Olive of Tullahoma High School has been named the 2021 Tennessee Titans High School Coach of the Year after leading his football team to a perfect 15-0 season and winning the Class 4A state championship.
Coach Olive is 203-126 in 29 seasons at Tullahoma. At 15-0, Olive finished the season as one of only two undefeated coaches in the state. The Wildcats defeated Elizabethton 21-14, in double overtime of the Class 4A Blue Cross Bowl in Chattanooga. The 2021 title is the first state championship for both Coach Olive and Tullahoma in 100 seasons of football at the school. Following the big win, Olive announced his retirement from coaching. He will remain on staff as the school's athletic director.
"John Olive is Tullahoma High School and the community of Tullahoma," said Tullahoma principal Jason Quick. "I've never met a person who has served a community and high school program with more integrity and character than John Olive. It is evident in our school, not just with the football team, but also throughout all of our school. Whether you are an athlete or not, John has had an impact on you in some form or fashion."
As the 2021 Titans Coach of the Year, Olive will receive a grant in the amount of $3,500 from the Tennessee Titans Foundation and a $1,000 grant from the NFL Foundation, to benefit his football program. Coach Olive will also receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2022 Pro Bowl in Las Vegas, Nev.
Coach Olive's selection also qualifies him for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year award, honoring high school football coaches that display the integrity, achievement and leadership exemplified by the coach with the most wins in NFL history, Don Shula. The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year award winner – announced in January – receives $12,500 and his high school football program is awarded $17,500. New for this year, a second finalist will receive $7,500 and his high school football program will receive $12,500.
The Titans' High School Coach of the Year award is an extension of the High School Game of the Week and Coach of the Week programs. Each Coach of the Week (10 total) received a grant from the Tennessee Titans in the amount of $2,000 to benefit his school's football program. All 11 award winners – 10 Coach of the Week winners and the Coach of the Year – will be recognized at Nissan Stadium during the Titans vs. Dolphins game on Sunday, January 2.
For more information on the High School Game of the Week and Coach of the Week program, visit https://www.tennesseetitans.com/gameoftheweek
