Jan. 8, 2011
Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach Derek Johnson was presented his award for being named the 2010 ABCA/Baseball America Assistant Coach of the Year at the American Baseball Coaches of America Conference at The Opryland Hotel.
“This is a great honor, not only for me but the entire Vanderbilt baseball program,” Johnson said after winning the award in late November. “I’ve been very fortunate to work with several talented pitchers during my career, and I will continue to strive to teach them as much as they have taught me.”
The honor comes on the heels of one of the Commodores most successful seasons in school history. Vanderbilt was one win away from their first trip to the College World Series and appeared in the school’s second-ever Super Regional, eventually losing to Florida State. The team’s pitchers helped guide the Dores to 46 wins, second-most in school history, while posting the second-best team ERA (3.69) in the rugged Southeastern Conference.
“DJ is very deserving of this award simply because he is coaching for the right reasons,” Head Coach Tim Corbin said. “He teaches out of love and respect for the kids that he comes in contact with. He leaves those kids with a lasting impression, which translates into the success of our program.”
Four pitchers under Johnson’s direction have been selected in the Top 10 picks of the first round, including No. 1 overall pick David Price in 2007. Overall 26 pitchers have been drafted with 20 coming in the last six years.
“Derek Johnson is one of the premier pitching coaches in college baseball,” said Baseball America national writer Aaron Fitt, who presented Johnson his award. “He has earned the respect of his peers and players for the way he treats players and constantly strives to add to his knowledge about pitching. And his track record of developing elite arms speaks for itself. DJ is a huge reason Vanderbilt has become a marquee program in college baseball.”
The Commodores picked up another award at the ABCA Convention on Thursday night beating out the other 524 college teams from Divisons I, II and III to win the first-ever award recognizing summer college baseball from the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball.
The fifth-ranked Commodores begin the 2011 season in San Diego on February 18 before opening up Hawkins Field against Belmont February 23. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling 615.322.GOLD. The baseball team will host its annual banquet on February 12 at 7 p.m. inside the Student Life Center. Ticket prices have been cut in half for this year’s event with adult tickets at $30 and children tickets at $25. To reserve your seats for the banquet click here.
