The University of Tennessee-Knoxville College of Communication and Information has appointed legendary Tennessee alum Peyton Manning as a professor and active faculty member for the 2023 fall semester, UT CCI announced Monday morning.
Manning, a 1997 graduate of the College of Communication and Information, is joining select classes over the course of the semester where he will provide expert experience and knowledge to Tennessee students.
“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,” CCI dean Joseph Mazer said in a statement. “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 most known for his prowess on the football field where he led Tennessee to a 40-9 record and the 1997 SEC Championship during his four-year collegiate career before becoming one of the greatest professional football players in the history of the NFL.
The son of former Saints quarterback Archie Manning, Peyton won two Super Bowls, won five Most Valuable Player Awards and was a seven-time First Team All-Pro quarterback in a career that landed him in the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame.
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But throughout his NFL career, Manning’s media savvy and communications skills shined. Manning was a frequent television commercial star, serving as a spokesperson for Papa John’s, Mastercard, Nationwide and others.
“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 in a statement. “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.”
Manning’s media savvy carried into his post-football career. The legendary quarterback launched Omaha Productions in 2020— a company that partners with ESPN and focuses on sports content. Manning hosts a show “Peyton’s Places” where he travels around the NFL world, interviewing different legends in the sport.
He also hosts the Monday Night Football “Manningcast” alongside his younger brother Eli where the duo host guests and breakdown select Monday Night Football games over the course of the NFL season.
Manning has long been a financial supporter of the University of Tennessee and specifically the College of Communication and Information, but now he’s helping out in the classroom to prepare the newest Vols for life after school.
