Jan. 5, 2016
George MacIntyre, who served six years as head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores and guided the squad to an appearance in the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl, passed away today in Nashville, according to family members.
MacIntyre, 76, died after a lengthy illness. He bravely battled multiple sclerosis for the last two decades of his life.
Visitation is scheduled Friday, Jan. 8, from 4-7 p.m. at Forest Hills Baptist Church, located at 2101 Old Hickory Road in Nashville. Services will be held at the church on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m., with visitation one hour prior.
MacIntyre is survived by his wife, Betty; two sons: Mike of Boulder, Colo., and Matt of Nashville; and several grandchildren.
Will Wolford, a veteran NFL lineman and Vanderbilt Athletics hall of famer who earned the nickname “Tractor” under MacIntyre’s guidance, echoed how other former players and associates felt about the highly respected coach.
“Coach Mac was a true father figure away from home at a time before cell phones, when it was too expensive to call home. He treated us all fairly and we all had equal value in his eyes. He was a kind-hearted, southern gentleman, Wolford said.
MacIntyre was named head coach of the Commodores in 1979, after serving a successful tenure as head coach at Tennessee-Martin. MacIntyre knew the Vanderbilt campus before accepting the Vanderbilt head job, having served previously as an assistant under Steve Sloan in the mid-1970s.
During his fourth year on campus, MacIntyre guided the 1982 Commodores to an 8-3 regular season highlighted by five straight victories to close the year, including wins over Tennessee, Kentucky and Ole Miss. The team featured quarterback Whit Taylor and a quick-strike passing attack coordinated by future Commodore coach Watson Brown.
That team went on to make Vanderbilt’s third all-time postseason appearance, facing Air Force in the Hall of Fame Bowl in Birmingham. It also helped MacIntyre claim the Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year Award.
MacIntyre directed the Commodores to 25 total victories, including a 23-17 win over Maryland in 1981 that opened the new Vanderbilt Stadium, and a 30-21 win at Alabama that helped the Commodores start the 1984 season with a 4-0 record in 1984.
MacIntyre coached the Commodores through the 1985 season, and still ranks fifth on the school’s all-time list with 25 victories.
Football was essential to the MacIntyre family. Both of his sons starred at Brentwood Academy, south of Nashville and played collegiately, Mike at Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech, Matt at Western Kentucky. Mike followed his dad in the coaching ranks, and now serves as head coach at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Mr. MacIntyre is a long-time member and deacon of Forest Hills Baptist Church.
Several current and former Vanderbilt coaches, players and associates reflected on MacIntyre’s contribution to their lives, the Commodore football program, and Vanderbilt University.
David Williams
Vanderbilt Athletics Director
“I had the good fortune of meeting Coach Mac and I remember him being a very fine man. He has a special place in our athletic history. He was named the (Bobby Dodd) national coach of the year in 1982 and yet his legacy will be that of a good man with high character in all facets of his life.”
Roy Kramer
former Vanderbilt Athletics Director and Southeastern Conference Commissioner
“George MacIntyre made a significant contribution to the history of Vanderbilt football. He arrived at a time when the program was down and he brought excitement back to the campus and city. His 1982 team went to a bowl game and won some thrilling games including the victory over Maryland the night we dedicated the new stadium.
“He was an extremely solid human being. He had concern for his players and was committed to them more than simply being their coach. He cared about their lives. He brought the qualities of honesty, integrity and character that made him successful on and off the field of play. He was involved with the Nashville community and even through he struggled with ill health in the later stages of his life, he always kept a twinkle in his eye.”
Derek Mason
Vanderbilt head coach
“Coach McIntyre was a man of integrity, a man of character and a man who instilled great values in his players that have served them well long after they left the Vanderbilt football program. The Vanderbilt football family sends its condolences and prayers to the MacIntyre family during this difficult time.”
Bobby Johnson
former Vanderbilt head coach
“It was my privilege to play under George MacIntyre as my position coach at Clemson. Though fiercely competitive, his coaching style was to instruct rather than belittle; an approach which earned him the affection of his players and inspired those players to overachieve on the field.
“Consequently, when I entered the profession, Coach MacIntyre was my role model.”
Watson Brown
former Vanderbilt student-athlete and head coach
“I thought the world of Coach Mac. He was a class act, a classy guy in every respect. He was a great guy to work with and for. I had two fantastic years with him and can’t say enough good things about him.”
Will Wolford
Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame member, long-time NFL offensive lineman
“Coach Mac was a true father figure away from home at a time before cell phones, when it was too expensive to call home. He treated us all fairly and we all had equal value in his eyes. He was a kind-hearted southern gentleman.
“Personally, Coach was the first person to tell me that I would play in the NFL ‘for 10 years’ when I was a sophomore. I didn’t believe him at the time but he reminded me regularly throughout my career.”
George Bennett
former executive director of National Commodore Club (1979-1986) and long-time Clemson IPTAY Club Director
“Nancy and I are long-time friends of George and Betty. We first met them when he was an assistant coach here at Clemson. He was the reason I came to Vanderbilt in 1979, we thought the world of him. We celebrated weddings and holidays together – we either called each other on Christmas Eve or went to each other’s home when we lived in the same town. I can’t say enough good things about George, he was a great Christian man. He always had the best spirit and he actually lived about 17 years longer than some doctors thought he would. We feel a great loss but know he’s in a better place.”
John Cropp
former Vanderbilt student-athlete and assistant coach with MacIntyre
“George was a true Christian Gentleman and very dear friend. He devoted his life to his family and helping young boys grow, mature, and become responsible young men. His courage was amazing and inspirational.”
Mickey Jacobs
former Vanderbilt student-athlete and assistant coach with MacIntyre
“I had the privilege of knowing Coach Mac as one of my coaches in the ’70s and also coaching with him in the ’80s. George was a great husband, father, coach and friend. He brought out the best in people, whether playing the game of life or the game of football. What Coach Mac did at Vanderbilt from 1979 (1-10) to 1982 (8-4) has to be one of the greatest turnarounds in college football. George was loved by his family, friends, players and his Lord Jesus Christ. We will miss him.”
