Mike Major

{{short description|American football coach}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox college coach

| name = Mike Major

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_date =

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| alma_mater = Stephen F. Austin State University (1973)

| player_years1 =

| player_team1 =

| player_positions =

| coach_years1 = 1976

| coach_team1 = Longview HS (TX) (assistant)

| coach_years2 = 1977–1978

| coach_team2 = Moody HS (TX) (DB)

| coach_years3 = 1979–1981

| coach_team3 = Weatherford HS (TX) (assistant)

| coach_years4 = 1982–1983

| coach_team4 = Austin HS (TX) (assistant)

| coach_years5 = 1984

| coach_team5 = Dimmitt HS (TX)

| coach_years6 = 1985

| coach_team6 = UTEP (volunteer)

| coach_years7 = 1986–1988

| coach_team7 = Copperas Cove HS (TX) (DC)

| coach_years8 = 1989

| coach_team8 = Iowa Wesleyan (DC)

| coach_years9 = 1990–1991

| coach_team9 = Stephen F. Austin (RB/TE/RC)

| coach_years10 = 1992–1993

| coach_team10 = Valdosta State (DC/LB)

| coach_years11 = 1994

| coach_team11 = Valdosta State (DC/DB)

| coach_years12 = 1995–1996

| coach_team12 = Valdosta State (DC/LB)

| coach_years13 = 1997–2000

| coach_team13 = Kentucky (DC/LB)

| coach_years14 = 2001–?

| coach_team14 = United HS (TX) (assistant)

| overall_record =

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}}

Mike Major is an American former football coach.

Major was the defensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky from 1997 through 2000 under head coach Hal Mumme. During Major's tenure, the Wildcats played in the 1999 Outback Bowl and the 1999 Music City Bowl. Major resigned from Kentucky with one week remaining in the 2000 season; his defensive squads had allowed the most points in the Southeastern Conference in each of his last two seasons at Kentucky.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-nov-14-sp-51566-story.html|title=Spurrier Agrees to $8.4-Million Deal - Los Angeles Times|publisher=latimes.com|date=2000-11-14|access-date=2009-02-10}}

The split was painful, as Major had been noted for his close personal and professional relationship with head coach Mumme. Mumme and Major first coached together in 1977 at Foy H. Moody High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, as receivers and secondary coaches, respectively;{{cite web| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2000/11/13/mumme_coordinator_ap/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629111446/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2000/11/13/mumme_coordinator_ap/| url-status=dead| archive-date=June 29, 2011|title=CNNSI.com - College Football - Kentucky def. coordinator takes fall for dismal season - Monday November 13, 2000 04:35 PM| publisher=sportsillustrated.cnn.com |date=2000-11-13| accessdate=2009-02-10}} Major would go on to work with Mumme in coaching positions at a total of six high schools and colleges.{{cite web|url=http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072897aac.html|title=Kentucky Football - University of Kentucky Official Athletic Site|publisher=www.ukathletics.com|accessdate=2009-02-13}} Major served as Mumme's defensive coordinator at two different schools before working for Mumme in that role for five seasons at Valdosta State University (1992–1996).

Following his departure from Kentucky, Major accepted a position as assistant coach at United High School in Laredo, Texas, in July 2001.{{cite web|url=http://lmtonline.com/sports/archive/070501/pageb1.pdf|title=Novoa City golfers tee off Friday|publisher=Laredo Morning Times|date=2001-07-05|accessdate=2009-02-13|last=Otero|first=Salo|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050828122419/http://lmtonline.com/sports/archive/070501/pageb1.pdf|archivedate=2005-08-28}}{{cite web|url=http://madmax.lmtonline.com/textarchives/070501/p2.htm|title=Novoa City golfers tee off Friday|publisher=madmax.lmtonline.com|date=2001-07-05|accessdate=2009-02-13|last=Otero|first=Salo|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120709195212/http://madmax.lmtonline.com/textarchives/070501/p2.htm|archivedate=2012-07-09}}