Johnson in 2007 versus Auburn
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Sport(s) | Football |
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Biographical details | |
Born |
Columbia, South Carolina |
February 8, 1951
Playing career | |
1969–1972 | Clemson |
Position(s) | Wide receiver, cornerback |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
1976 | Furman (DE) |
1977–1979 | Furman (DB) |
1981–1983 | Furman (DB) |
1983–1992 | Furman (DC) |
1993 | Clemson (DC) |
1994–2001 | Furman |
2002–2009 | Vanderbilt |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 89–102 |
Bowls | 1–0 |
Tournaments | 3–3 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs) |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Championships | |
2 SoCon (1999, 2001) | |
Awards | |
SEC Coach of the Year (2008) |
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.
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.
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. 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.