Bobby Johnson

Last updated

Bobby Johnson
BobbyJohnson-VandyHC.jpg
Johnson in 2007 versus Auburn
Biographical details
Born (1951-02-08) February 8, 1951 (age 73)
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
1969–1972 Clemson
Position(s) Wide receiver, cornerback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1976 Furman (DE)
1977–1969 Furman (DB)
1981–1983 Furman (DB)
1983–1992 Furman (DC)
1993 Clemson (DC)
1994–2001 Furman
2002–2009 Vanderbilt
Head coaching record
Overall89–102
Bowls1–0
Tournaments3–3 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 SoCon (1999, 2001)
Awards
SEC Coach of the Year (2008) [1]

Robert Alan Johnson (born February 8, 1951) is a retired American football coach and former player. He was most recently the head football coach at Vanderbilt University, a position he held from the 2002 season until his retirement in 2010. In December 2001, Johnson became the Commodores' head coach, after leading Furman University to the NCAA Division I-AA national championship game. He coached the Paladins between 1994 and 2001, leading the team to a 60–36 overall record during his eight years. Prior to his hiring at Furman, Johnson was the defensive coordinator for the Clemson Tigers. In 2008, Johnson led Vanderbilt to its first winning season since 1982. His team went 7–6 with a 16–14 win over Boston College in the Music City Bowl, Vanderbilt's first bowl victory since 1955 and only their second in school history at the time.

Contents

Playing career and education

Johnson was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball during his time at Eau Claire High School in his native hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. [2]

He continued his success in football at college, where he played both wide receiver and cornerback for Clemson University. In the 1971 and 1972 seasons, Johnson led the Tigers in interceptions. [2] Johnson was twice named as an ACC All-Academic honoree. He graduated from Clemson in 1973, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in management, before earning his master's degree in education from Furman in 1979. [2]

Coaching career

Vanderbilt

On December 23, 2001, Johnson was officially announced as the 25th head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores football team. [2]

2005

In Johnson's fourth season, the Commodores finished 5–6. Jay Cutler, the team's offensive captain that season, was drafted #11 overall by the Denver Broncos and named as starting quarterback during his rookie season.

2006

In the 2006 season, Vanderbilt fell to 4–8 after the loss of Cutler, but did beat Georgia at Sanford Stadium. In addition, Vanderbilt lost games to Ole Miss, Alabama, SEC West champion Arkansas, and eventual national champion Florida. After eight games Atlanta Journal-Constitution college football writer Tony Barnhart stated that Johnson "deserves some consideration" for SEC Coach of the Year, albeit based on a misstated record of 4–5 instead of 3–5. [3]

Barnhart's 2006 postseason survey of ten former SEC coaches ranked the Vanderbilt job the least attractive in the SEC. Former Ole Miss coach Billy Brewer summarized Johnson's performance: "The tough thing about the Vanderbilt job is that you can improve a lot from year to year and still finish last in the SEC East. For what he has, I think Bobby Johnson does a heck of a coaching job." [4]

2007

Johnson again led the Commodores to success in 2007, with SEC conference wins over Mississippi and South Carolina, ranked #6 at the time of the contest. Standing with a 5–5 record, the Commodores then squandered a 24–9 third-quarter lead against in-state rival Tennessee, losing 25–24 after a 49-yard Bryant Hahnfeldt field goal attempt that would have won the game glanced off the left upright. Concluding the season with an uninspired effort versus Wake Forest, Vanderbilt finished 5–7 and one win short of bowl eligibility.

2008

Vanderbilt started the 2008 season on a 5–0 run under Coach Johnson, including SEC wins at home against South Carolina and Auburn, and an SEC road win at Ole Miss. Vanderbilt's fifth game, an October 4 match up against Auburn, was historic for the Commodores for many reasons. Aside from being Vanderbilt's first game as a ranked team in many years, it was ESPN College Gameday's first ever appearance in Nashville, and the 14–13 win gave Vanderbilt its first 5–0 start since the World War II-shortened 1943 season. Vanderbilt would go on to defeat Kentucky to get the sixth win and bowl eligibility for the first time since 1982. The Commodores lost to Tennessee and Wake Forest to finish the regular season 6–6. On December 10, Johnson was named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, along with Houston Nutt, of Ole Miss, and Nick Saban, of Alabama. [1] On December 31, Vanderbilt defeated Boston College in the Music City Bowl to secure a winning season and their first bowl victory since 1955.

Retirement

On July 14, 2010, Johnson announced his retirement from coaching. [5] Citing it as a "personal decision", the decision was a surprise to the program and the media as it occurred less than two months away from the 2010–11 season. In explaining his decision, he stated: "Football is not life, but it's a way of life and it consumes your life. You only have so many years to live, and you want to see a different way." [5]

His tenure at Vanderbilt was lauded for bringing a resurgence to a team that had long been dominated by its fellow members of the SEC, notably guiding the Commodores their first bowl game win in 53 years and first non-losing season since 1982. [5]

On March 27, 2015, Johnson was added to the College Football Playoff selection committee, replacing Archie Manning. [6]

Head coaching record

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Furman Paladins (Southern Conference)(1994–2001)
1994 Furman 3–82–66th
1995 Furman 6–55–33rd
1996 Furman 9–46–23rdL NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal
1997 Furman 7–45–33rd
1998 Furman 5–63–5T–6th
1999 Furman 9–37–1T–1stL NCAA Division I-AA First Round
2000 Furman 9–36–22ndL NCAA Division I-AA First Round
2001 Furman 12–37–1T–1stL NCAA Division I-AA Championship
Furman:60–3641–23
Vanderbilt Commodores (Southeastern Conference)(2002–2009)
2002 Vanderbilt 2–100–86th (Eastern)
2003 Vanderbilt 2–101–7T–5th (Eastern)
2004 Vanderbilt 2–91–7T–5th (Eastern)
2005 Vanderbilt 5–63–5T–4th (Eastern)
2006 Vanderbilt 4–81–76th (Eastern)
2007 Vanderbilt 5–72–66th (Eastern)
2008 Vanderbilt 7–64–4T–3rd (Eastern)W Music City
2009 Vanderbilt 2–100–86th (Eastern)
Vanderbilt:29–6612–52
Total:89–102
      National championship        Conference title        Conference division title or championship game berth

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Orgeron</span> American football player and coach (born 1961)

Edward James Orgeron Jr. is a former American football coach. He was most recently the head football coach at Louisiana State University (LSU), a position he held from midway through the 2016 season until the 2021 season. Orgeron previously served as the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2005 to 2007 and was the interim head coach at the University of Southern California (USC) in 2013. He led the 2019 LSU Tigers football team to a national championship, beating the defending champions Clemson in the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Gerard Paul DiNardo is an American former college football player and coach. He played college football as a guard for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish where he was selected as an All-American in 1974. DiNardo served as the head football coach at Vanderbilt University (1991–1994), Louisiana State University (1995–1999), and Indiana University (2002–2004), compiling a career college football record of 59–76–1. In 2001, he was the head coach of the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the XFL.

Stephen Charles Sloan was an American professional football player who became a college football coach and athletics administrator. He played in college as a quarterback at the University of Alabama from 1962 to 1965 and then spent two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Atlanta Falcons (1966–1967). Sloan then returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach (1968-1970), and then served one year each as an offensive coordinator at Florida State (1971) and Georgia Tech (1972). At Florida State he was on the staff with linebackers coach Bill Parcells. Sloan then got his first head coaching job at Vanderbilt University (1973–1974), where he brought Parcells with him, and at his next job at Texas Tech University (1975–1977), he made Parcells the defensive coordinator. Sloan then went on to the University of Mississippi (1978–1982), and Duke University (1983–1986), compiling a career record of 68–86–3. He returned to Vanderbilt to serve as offensive coordinator for one year (1990) before retiring from coaching. He also served as the athletic director at the University of Alabama (1987-1989), the University of North Texas (1991-1993), University of Central Florida (1993-2002), and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (2002-2006), before his retirement in 2006. In 2000, Sloan was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. He died on April 14, 2024, at the age of 79.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kentucky Wildcats football</span> Football team of the University of Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats football program represents the University of Kentucky in the sport of American football. The Wildcats compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Wildcats play their home games at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky and are led by head coach Mark Stoops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanderbilt Commodores football</span> Vanderbilt University Football Team

The Vanderbilt Commodores football program represents Vanderbilt University in the sport of American football. The Commodores compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They are led by head coach Clark Lea. Vanderbilt plays their home games at FirstBank Stadium, located on the university's Nashville, Tennessee campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lewie Hardage</span>

Lewis Woolford Hardage was an American college football player and college football and baseball coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Houston Nutt, who served his first season in the position and replaced Ed Orgeron, who was fired after accumulating a 10–25 record at Ole Miss from 2005 to 2007. The Rebels played their seven home games in 2008 at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.

The 1999 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1999 college football season. The team was led by head coach Mike DuBose, who was in his third season with the program. The Crimson Tide, also known informally as the Tide, played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field, in Birmingham, Alabama.

The 1969 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1969 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 75th overall and 36th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 12th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with six wins and five losses and with a loss against Colorado in the Liberty Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 South Carolina Gamecocks football team</span> American college football season

The 2009 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Steve Spurrier, who was in his fifth season at USC. The Gamecocks played their home games at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. Carolina finished the season 7–6, winning the Palmetto Bowl over in-state rival Clemson 34–17 in their final regular season game, before losing in the PapaJohns.com Bowl 20–7 against Connecticut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Vanderbilt Commodores football team</span> American college football season

The 2005 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University in the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Commodores offense scored 299 points while the defense allowed 321 points. Led by head coach Bobby Johnson in his 4th year, the Commodores won their first four games of the season but won just one further game the rest of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Caldwell</span> American football player and coach (born 1954)

Robbie Caldwell is a retired American football coach, and previously served as the offensive line coach for Clemson University. Caldwell was formerly the head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores football team. He has also been an assistant coach at Furman University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Vanderbilt University. On February 2, 2011 Clemson University named Caldwell offensive line coach to replace the retiring Brad Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football team</span> American college football season

The 2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Commodores played their seven home games at Vanderbilt Stadium at Dudley Field in Nashville, Tennessee, which has been Vanderbilt football's home stadium since 1922. The team's head coach was James Franklin, who was in his first year at Vanderbilt. Hired at Vanderbilt on December 17, 2010, he was previously the offensive coordinator and "head coach in waiting" at the University of Maryland. Vanderbilt has been a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) since the league's inception in 1932, and has participated in the conference's Eastern Division since its formation for the 1992 season. Vanderbilt completed the 2011 regular season with an overall record of 6–6 and a mark of 2–6 in conference play, finishing in a tie with Kentucky for fourth place in the SEC East. They were invited to the Liberty Bowl where they were defeated by Cincinnati 24–31 to finish the season 6–7. 2011. The seniors of the 2011 Vanderbilt football team became the first class in program history to qualify for two bowl games while at the school. Vanderbilt had only been to bowls in 1955 VS Auburn, 1974 VS Texas Tech, 1982 VS Air Force, and 2008 VS Boston College.

Derek Mason is an American college football coach who is currently the head football coach for Middle Tennessee State University. He previously served as head coach at Vanderbilt University from 2014 to 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Vanderbilt Commodores football team</span> American college football season

The 2012 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Commodores played their six home games at Vanderbilt Stadium at Dudley Field in Nashville, Tennessee, which has been Vanderbilt football's home stadium since 1922. The team's head coach was James Franklin, who is in his second year at Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt has been a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) since the league's inception in 1932, and has participated in the conference's Eastern Division since its formation for the 1992 season. On November 11, 2012 Vandy became bowl eligible in back to back years for the first time in its 123-year football history. This was the first time since 1935 that Vandy won five SEC games in a year and the first time in 30 years that they won at home against Tennessee. Vanderbilt finished the year with the longest current SEC winning streak. For the first time since 1948, Vanderbilt finished the season with a top 25 ranking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1946 Auburn Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 1946 Auburn Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Auburn University in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1946 college football season. It was Auburn's 55th season of intercollegiate football and its 14th season as a member of the SEC. The Tigers were led by head coach Carl M. Voyles, in his third year at Auburn, and compiled a record of four wins and six losses. They were outscored by a total of 210 to 132.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Vanderbilt Commodores football team</span> American college football season

The 2016 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Commodores played their home games at Vanderbilt Stadium at Dudley Field in Nashville, Tennessee and competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by third-year head coach Derek Mason. This was Vanderbilt's 126th season of college football. They finished the season 6–7, 3–5 in SEC play to finish in a tie for fifth place in the Eastern Division. They were invited to the Independence Bowl where they lost to NC State.

The Vanderbilt Commodores football team represents Vanderbilt University in the sport of American football.

The Ole Miss Rebels, the football team of the University of Mississippi, was founded in 1893. The state's first football team, the Rebels currently play in the FBS Subdivision of NCAA Division 1 Football and in the West Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

References

  1. 1 2 "Bobby Johnson shares SEC Coach of the Year". VUCommodores.com. December 10, 2008. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Vanderbilt Names Bobby Johnson Head Coach". Scout.com. December 23, 2001. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Coaches jobs in question". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . October 31, 2006. Retrieved December 6, 2006.
  4. ↑ "Barnhart: Best and worst SEC jobs". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . December 13, 2006. Archived from the original on December 15, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2006.
  5. 1 2 3 Chris Low, , ESPN.com, July 14, 2010, Accessed July 14, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Hancock Announces Membership Changes to CFP Selection Committee". College Football Playoff. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.