Bobby Johnson Biography

Bobby Johnson was born in Columbia, South Carolina where he attended Eau Claire High School. He was named South Carolina Lineman of the Year in 1868 while playing for Eau Claire and continued on to Clemson University where he played at a wide receiver and cornerback. While at Clemson, Johnson was a two-time ACC All-Academic selection and led the team in interceptions during the 1971 and 1972 seasons.

In 1973, Johnson earned his Bachelor's Degree in Management from Clemson University. He served as a defensive ends coach and defensive backs coach at Furman University until 1979. At this time he graduated from Furman with his Master's Degree in Education.

Johnson spent the next 22 seasons back and forth between Clemson University and Furman University. In 1980 he served as Athletic Academic Counselor at Clemson. From 1981 to 1992 he served as defensive backs coach, then defensive coordinator at Furman. In 1993 he went back to Clemson as defensive coordinator before accepting the Head Coach position at Furman.

He remained at Furman as their Head Coach for eight seasons, until 2001. In Johnson's time at Furman University, he finished with an impressive record of 60-36. His last season, 2001, stood out the most with 12 wins to 3 losses.

In 2002, Bobby Johnson took his current position at Vanderbilt University at Head Coach. In five seasons his team has accumulated a record of 15-43. This disappointing record overturned his previously positive reputation from Furman, where his winning percentage had been 62.5%. Vanderbilt's winning percentage for 2002-2006 is 25.8% and gives Coach Johnson a 75-79 record over his 13 season career as head coach.

BUT, let's remember - playing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is a whole different ballgame from Furman's Southern Conference. AND, Vanderbilt has always been at the bottom of the SEC. SO, let's not expect miracles.

Despite the negative win-loss ratio, in his four-years at Vanderbilt, Johnson's influence has had a positive impact on the Vanderbilt student-athletes. Under his direction, nine Vanderbilt Commodores have earned All-SEC recognition. He has produced 11 freshmen All-SECs, including SEC Freshman of the Year in 2002, a first time achievement for Vanderbilt University.

The school leads the conference in Academic Honor Roll recognition, and in 2002, linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer earned the prestigious National Scholar Athlete Award. Academic achievement by his players is of the utmost importance to Coach Bobby Johnson. Though his winning record is somewhat lacking currently, his focus on excellence in his players is a necessary building block needed to build a great football team.

AND, Bobby Johnson has done a great job. After all, Vandy beat Georgia, at Athens in 2006, and the Commodores have played lots of other top-tier SEC teams down to the wire. Bobby Johnson has made Vandy a legitimate contender in the SEC each week. And that's saying something!

For more information about Bobby Johnson and Vandy Football, see Vanderbilt Football, current Vanderbilt Commodores Football, and Vanderbilt Commodores Football History.

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