After earning All-OVC honors in Tech's 1972 championship season, Mike Hennigan went on to play seven years in the NFL before beginning a coaching career that brought him back to Cookeville. He spent his two-year Golden Eagle career as a linebacker and, as a senior, made 110 tackles and earned All-American recognition while helping Tech to a 10-1 regular season record and a berth in the Grantland Rice Bowl.