Peyton Manning is returning to the University of Tennessee considerably more famous than when he left.
The university announced Monday that Manning has been appointed a professor of practice and will begin teaching classes for the Fall 2023 semester.
The Hall of Fame quarterback will serve as a “featured expert,” in College of Communication and Information courses.
Manning graduated from the school in 1997 with a degree in speech communication. He not only showed those communications skills on the football field (his “Omaha!” shout is one of the greatest and most-imitated audibles in NFL history), he also went on to found the entertainment company Omaha Productions.
“There is no other ambassador for our college and university like Peyton Manning, and we are proud to welcome him to the college’s faculty,” said Joseph Mazer, dean of the College of Communication and Information. “Peyton is a true Volunteer, and I look forward to our students gaining invaluable knowledge from him as we continue to prepare the next generation of communication and information leaders.”
Manning is handling his teaching duties on a volunteer basis.
“My time as a student in the College of Communication and Information was a foundational experience during which I learned critical skills and messaging techniques that I continue to put to use almost daily,” Manning said. “I look forward to working with the college’s talented faculty and directly with students in an effort to ensure they are well prepared for their future careers.”
The football world reacted to the news with plenty of funny memes and well wishes.
https://twitter.com/_BuffaloJoe_/status/1691101884218548224
Peyton Manning has always been an excellent teacher https://t.co/kRM7iZL4ln
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 14, 2023
Is he teaching the geography of Nebraska? pic.twitter.com/CKG5ph0LIJ
— Lane Munson (@LaneMunson2) August 14, 2023
Former Vols great Peyton Manning will return to Tennessee & joins UT’s College of Communication & Information as a professor of practice this fall. Unfortunately, Manning has no playing eligibility remaining
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 14, 2023
Peyton Manning taking a professorial role with Tennessee is huge for a multitude of reasons:
Celebrity on campus.
Campus/athletic morale.
Recruiting tool.
Interaction with a living legend.
The passing of wisdom.This is going to be GREAT for Tennessee.
— John Dunn (@JxhnDunn) August 14, 2023
If Peyton Manning is a professor of practice at Tennessee now, what does it take to be a professor of games? pic.twitter.com/nRrHRvMXRX
— Daren Stoltzfus WESH (@DarenStoltzfus) August 14, 2023
