Jan. 12, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Sports Writers Association has named Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson as the state’s College Coach of the Year.
The Commodore mentor earned the statewide award after guiding Vanderbilt to its first winning season and bowl appearance in 26 years. The Commodores upset Boston College in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, their third victory over a ranked opponent during the season.
“I want to thank the sports writers across Tennessee for recognizing the achievements of the Vanderbilt football squad this season,” Johnson said. “I’m extremely proud of all of our players and the coaching staff.
“This team accomplished a number of important things for this program, including winning a bowl game and finishing the season with a winning record. We look for even more development of this football team in the future.”
In addition to recognizing Johnson as its top college coach in the state, the TSWA honored Tennessee All-America defensive back Eric Berry as its top collegiate player from the 2008 season.
Johnson, concluding his seventh year at the helm of Commodore football, shared Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year honors with Nick Saban of Alabama and Houston Nutt of Ole Miss, following a December ballot of the league’s head coaches.
The Commodores’ season was highlighted by four SEC victories – the most by a Vanderbilt squad since the conference went to divisional play in 1992. The Commodores’ third place finish in the SEC Eastern Division is the highest since the move to 12 conference teams 16 years ago.
During the regular season, Vanderbilt also defeated a pair of ranked SEC opponents early in the season, South Carolina and Auburn, marking the first time in team history that a Commodore squad has accomplished the feat. After starting the season 5-0, the Commodores received a No. 13 ranking from the Associated Press; and remained in the Top 25 for four weeks.
The victory over Boston College came in just the Commodores’ fourth postseason appearance ever. It was Vanderbilt’s first bowl win since the 1955 Gator Bowl.
Johnson ranks fifth all-time among Commodore coaches with 27 victories.
The TSWA has also recognized two of Johnson’s pupils in recent years as the state’s top collegiate player. Quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Earl Bennett were honored in 2005 and 2007, respectively.
Johnson will be honored at the TSWA’s annual luncheon on July 10 in Hermitage, Tenn.