KNOXVILLE — For some reason, Harry Galbreath didn’t think four years of outstanding play showed enough gratitude to the University of Tennessee.

So before last season, one of the best offensive linemen in school history left a full-time Division I coaching position and returned to his alma mater as an associate in the strength and conditioning program.

“The University of Tennessee was really the only Division I school that offered me a scholarship, and it gave me my first opportunity,” said the 43-year-old Galbreath, who retired from a nine-year NFL career in 1996 but still looks like he could push a pile.

“It’s always great to come back home. You can’t ever forget about that, and I wanted to give something back for the many things this place gave to me.”

Galbreath, apparently, is giving plenty. Vladimir Richard called him “our unsung hero,” and fellow junior guard Jacques McClendon called him a “blessing.”

“When we have a pancake block in a game, we call that the ‘76 block’ after Harry, because he’s probably the best lineman that’s ever played here,” said McClendon, a former Baylor School star. “For him to be a mentor for me was unreal. You couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Richard and McClendon were instructed to scale back after topping 600 pounds on the bench press. McClendon set a UT record at 645. They were asked to focus on flexibility, which meant more yoga exercises.

Galbreath nearly laughed himself into tears while recalling the yoga, which routinely reduced 300-pound men to rubble.

“For big guys, some of those positions you get into really cut your wind off,” Galbreath said. “I’d be looking at Jacques like, ‘I’m about to quit. Are you going to quit?’ And he’s looking at me to see if I’m going to quit.

“It was funny. But it was hard, though.”

UT’s line still receives ample praise for last season, when it allowed an NCAA-low four sacks in 14 games. But the Vols, despite an All-SEC season from versatile tailback Arian Foster, were ninth in the league with just 139 rushing yards per game. They averaged a pedestrian 4.2 yards per run.

“We were obviously known for our pass-blocking, but we could have been much better in the running game,” center Josh McNeil said. “We’ve worked hard to improve in that area.”

Richard went further, saying the line hopes to “absolutely dominate the line of scrimmage every game.”

Listening to Galbreath — whom Johnny Majors called the best run-blocker he ever coached — would seem to help the cause.

“Me and Harry went at it probably three times a week this summer working on fundamentals,” McClendon said. “I feel like I’m in great shape.

“It’s the best I’ve ever felt since I’ve been here, for sure.”

Galbreath said most of McClendon’s problems stemmed from slight breakdowns in his hands, feet and vision.

“It’s basically the same stuff coaches have done, just repping it a little bit more to catch the grasp,” Galbreath said. “It’s just small stuff. ... He’s got everything else.

“He’s got the quickness, and he’s obviously got the strength. He’s a powerful guy, and he’s not one of those guys that can do it in weight room but can’t transfer it to the field.”

Other linemen, such as Richard, have raved about similarly private instruction.

“People might know how great of a player he was,” Richard said, “but most people on the outside don’t know how much he’s progressed us. Every day in the summer, we’ve been doing drills with Harry. He’s been teaching us certain things to do, and it’s just small things that always make sense.

“I can’t even explain how much help he’s given our O-line. Whatever we do this season, some of that has to go to Harry. He’s been there every day, grinding it out with us, and he’s not going to let us fail. He’s like a coach and a big brother.”

Defensive line coach Dan Brooks said Galbreath has been “an asset to have back here, period — not just for the linemen.

“It’s great to have successful people around your kids,” Brooks said. “Listening to Coach (Phillip) Fulmer’s Harry stories, he had to work to be a good player, and I think he challenges our guys.

“He’s brought a great deal to our young people.”

Galbreath said that’s why he returned to UT after nine years as offensive line coach at Austin Peay, Tennessee State and Hampton.

“Encouraging these young guys to do the right thing, or helping them along the way, that’s worth more than anything,” Galbreath said. “And to be doing it here, that’s even better.”

Side Orders