The college football coaching world lost another Bobby this week as Vanderbilt head man Bobby Johnson retired for personal reasons. Arguably the finest coach in history with a 29-66 record at the FBS level, Johnson had the near-impossible task of building a winner with the Commodores while playing in the SEC. Johnson's finest season, by far, was 2008 when Vandy beat conference foes South Carolina, Mississippi, Auburn and Kentucky en route to a post-season berth for the first time since 1982. Vanderbilt beat Boston College in the Music City Bowl to wrap up a 7-6 season. Last season's squad struggled with injuries and finished 2-10 with losses in the final eight games.
The timing of Johnson's announcement has surprised some folks, but in this day and age when is a coach supposed to retire? It goes without saying that August through early January is out as the season is paramount. January? Nope, that is the final stretch for recruiting. February? No, as you will be ripped for lying to the new recruits. March and April? No, that is spring practice time. Which leaves June and July. Perhaps Johnson waited this long to guarantee that the rest of the staff would stay in place for the 2010 season. And assistant head coach Robbie Caldwell was given the head job on an interim basis with the school announcing that they will reevaluate the position after the season. Who knows? Hopefully Vanderbilt will remain competitive against the bigger schools while maintaining their high standards for student-athletes.
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