Through its storied history and because the Southeastern Conference’s rotating schedule existed until the advent of divisional play in 1992, Tennessee only has had four coaches defeat rival Florida in their first full season of coaching. No coach has accomplished the feat in his first entire season since Bill Battle in 1970. Battle’s Vols battered the Gators of Doug Dickey, 38-7, on national TV in Knoxville en route to a Sugar Bowl campaign.
Of course, Phillip Fulmer as interim, led Tennessee to a resounding 31-14 win against the Gators in 1992, though Fulmer’s Vols lost a shootout on the road in Gainesville a year later in his first full season.