Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson Often Saw More Tragedy Than Triumph

The Vanderbilt Commodores just saw their SEC Media Day profile get a little more interesting as head coach, Bobby Johnson, has reportedly offered his resignation to the university.

A press conference has been scheduled for 2 pm (EST) today.

The exact reason for his departure is not yet known, but several media outlets are reporting that his health may have been a major factor in the decision.

His replacement has not been named, but VandyMania.com lists veteran assistants, Robbie Caldwell, Jimmy Kiser, and Ted Cain as possible candidates for the job.

In eight seasons as the Commodores head coach, Johnson compiled a 29-66 record. An unimpressive total to be sure, but considering Vandy's history as an SEC whipping post, Johnson was very well-respected for fielding competitive teams.

During his tenure, he led Vanderbilt to several signature wins over SEC East opponents, including big road wins over Georgia (06'), Tennessee (05'), and South Carolina (07'). He also celebrated the teams' first bowl win in over 50 years—a 16-14 victory over Boston College in the 2008 Music City Bowl.

Johnson first flirted with leaving Vanderbilt in 2007. 

He was a part of the coaching search to replace the fired Ted Roof at Duke. He eventually withdrew his name from consideration and decided to remain with the Commodores.

Vanderbilt was not expected to be nearly as competitive in 2010 as in recent years. The loss of one of his top assistants, Warren Belin to the Georgia Bulldogs coaching staff as well as the tragic death of his top tailback recruit—Rajaan Bennett—cast a pall over the program.

Bennett's loss was especially painful given the fact that it wasn't the first time coach Johnson lost a promising player to a heinous crime.

In 2002, top defensive prospect Marcus Dixon was charged with rape and imprisoned—he never played a down for Vandy.

In December 2004, star tailback, Kwane Doster was murdered in his hometown of Tampa, FL while away for winter break.

In both instances, these were players that Johnson hoped would be able to sustain the momentum of his program. Instead, they became setbacks to success and affected the trajectory of Johnson's goals as a coach.

By the time Rajaan Bennett lost his life to murder, Johnson seemed like a defeated shell of a man. He appeared to question his overall purpose to the university in light of such a tragic loss (see video):



As much as he tried, Johnson couldn't seem to escape the obstacles that each tragedy seemed to bring and it was tough to watch him try to make the best of the bad situations.

Perhaps he finally just burned out—it would be understandable.

In the end, though, the fact is Vanderbilt just lost their head coach—two months before the start of the season. Tragedy or no tragedy, the Commodores have been left empty-handed. So, the real question for the 85+ men that coach Johnson just left behind is, what now?