Vanderbilt Commodores football
Encyclopedia
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football
team that represents Vanderbilt University
. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision
as a member of the Southeastern Conference
. The Commodores
currently play their home games at Vanderbilt Stadium
, located in Nashville, Tennessee
.
played the first college football game in the state of Tennessee
in 1890. In 1894 Vanderbilt was among the seven founding members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
. Just after the turn of the century, the team enjoyed fairly substantial success, with a composite record of 20-3-2 from 1901-03. That same year, Vanderbilt began one of its oldest rivalries: the Vanderbilt-Ole Miss rivalry
. Even so, Dan McGugin
's arrival as coach from his brother-in-law Fielding H. Yost's Michigan
program in 1904 showed an immediate impact. The 1904 squad outscored its opposition by 474 to four in winning all nine games. McGugin's tenure spanned the years 1904-17 and 1919-34 with a record of 197-55-19.
In 1922, Vanderbilt hosted the University of Michigan to inaugurate Dudley Field. The game ended in a 0–0 tie and figures prominently in the program's history. VU football historian Bill Traughber chronicles the event:
A young Earnest Albert Craft, born in 1898, employed with the construction team that built the Dudley Field wooden stands was in attendance the day of the game vs. Michigan. Earnest was called on to raise the first American flag during the national anthem. Later, Rev. Earnest Albert Craft would become city councilman of in the West Nashville area and 40 year pastor of Sylvan Park Free Will Baptist Church in Nashville. Clippings of this event are documented in archives of the old Nashville Banner newspaper. A copy of this newspaper account is held today by grandson by adoption, Albert D. Mitchell. Albert, named after E. A. Craft, lives on the west side of Nashville in Bellevue. He was a graduated of Cohn High School and later return to teach and coach at Cohn High School, finally retiring from the Metro Nashville School system in 1989.
1922 was also the year that Vanderbilt entered the Southern Conference
as a charter member. The Commodores tied for the conference championship in 1922 and 1923 and continued to finish in the upper half of the conference standings for the next decade.
In 1932, Vanderbilt—at the pinnacle of its athletics dominance in the South—joined the other SoCon schools south and west of the Appalachians in founding the Southeastern Conference
. The other charter members were Alabama
, Florida
, Georgia
, Kentucky
, Ole Miss
, Tennessee
, Auburn
, LSU
, Mississippi State
, Sewanee, Georgia Tech
, and Tulane
.
The Commodores have found the going especially difficult since their last period of sustained success in the mid-1950s. Since 1959, Vanderbilt has posted only four winning seasons—in 1974, 1975, 1982 and 2008.
This trend seemed to be abating in the mid-1970s and early 1980s, with two of Vanderbilt's post-season appearances coming in 1974 and 1982, and with several near-winning season records.
The last Commodore team before the Bobby Johnson era with a winning record, George MacIntyre
's 1982 squad (with a record of 8–4), played in the Hall of Fame Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to the school's third all-time bowl appearance, the 1982 team's season-ending win against Tennessee
, in which Vanderbilt quarterback Whit Taylor threw for 391 yards, marked a special season—but a season that proved an exception to years following, when a return to previous levels of mediocrity saw a veritable merry-go-round of head coaches.
MacIntyre was unable to put together another winner, and left after the 1985 season. From 1986 to 2001, when Bobby Johnson was hired, Vanderbilt was led by five coaches who averaged only four wins per season. During this time, the Commodores won only 18 games in SEC play. Included in this run were three 1–10 overall records, as well as five winless SEC records.
Since the start of the 2000 season Vanderbilt has record of only 36–93 and 14–74 in SEC play. This averages to only 3 wins and 9 losses a year.
was hired in 2002 as the head football coach. Johnson had previously coached at NCAA Division I-AA power Furman, leading the Paladins to the Division I-AA title game in 2001, his final year. However, at the time, some questioned the wisdom of hiring a I-AA coach to lead a program in what has widely been reckoned as the strongest football conference in the nation.
Vanderbilt officials had pursued and offered the position initially to Gary Barnett
and Tyrone Willingham
, both of whom had steered small, private universities (Northwestern
and Stanford
, respectively) to football success. Both turned down the job for different reasons.
The same critics that questioned Johnson's initial hiring also derided the loyalty given to Coach Johnson by the Vanderbilt administration after his first three seasons at the school led to three consecutive 2–9 records. During this time, however, Johnson was continuing to recruit players that had been passed over by major-power schools, but whom Johnson and his staff believed could be molded into SEC-caliber players.
The Administration's loyalty to Johnson, which had paid dividends in his support for the radical changes in administration of the inter-collegiate athletics program also yielded on-the-field results in Johnson's fourth season at the helm of the Commodores.
In 2005, Vanderbilt finished with a 5–6 record, the program's best finish since 1999.
All-SEC Quarterback
Jay Cutler
, the team's offensive captain that season and the offensive player of the year in the SEC, was selected 11th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft
by the Denver Broncos
and named starting quarterback for the last five games of his rookie season.
In the 2006 season, Vanderbilt finished with a 4–8 record with sophomore Chris Nickson at quarterback. The 2006 team's peak performance came with a 24–22 defeat of conference rival #16 ranked Georgia
at Sanford Stadium
, the first time Vanderbilt had ever defeated a ranked opponent on the road. The team came within seconds of defeating Arkansas
and Alabama
in consecutive weeks.
Vanderbilt fans approached the 2007 season with considerable optimism, given the return of many experienced starters, including WR Earl Bennett
and the closeness of the Arkansas and Alabama losses. Vanderbilt started the year strong with a decisive victory over Richmond, but hopes for a win against Nick Saban
's Alabama squad fizzled in a 10–24 loss marked by several controversial penalties. Vanderbilt rebounded with strong wins against Ole Miss and Eastern Michigan, but the Ole Miss victory came at a cost, as quarterback Chris Nickson suffered an injury that negatively impacted his future performance and led to his mid-season replacement by Mackenzi Adams. While Vanderbilt appeared to be en route to a convincing homecoming win against #21 Georgia, a late-game Bulldog rally coupled with a costly Vanderbilt fumble in the final minutes of the fourth quarter led to a disappointing 17–20 loss. Vanderbilt rebounded with a stunning upset of #6 ranked South Carolina
17–6 at Williams-Brice Stadium
in Columbia
, beating a top 10 team for the first time in 33 years and a Steve Spurrier
-coached team for the first time ever. It was the highest ranked team Vanderbilt had beaten since defeating #6 LSU
in 1937. In the following home game against Miami (Ohio), junior wide receiver Earl Bennett
made history by breaking the SEC record for most career receptions. Vanderbilt would go on to win the game 24–13. With a 5–3 record entering the last four games of the season, the Commodores seemed primed for bowl eligibility. After a lopsided defeat against Florida and a close loss to Kentucky, the Commodores went to Knoxville to play Tennessee at Neyland Stadium for the first time since their 2005 win. Despite entering as heavy underdogs, Vanderbilt jumped out to a 24–9 lead at the end of the third quarter, but the Volunteers scored 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to win the game by one point. Vanderbilt went on to lose its final game of the series against Wake Forest 17–31.
In 2008, Vanderbilt began the season winning their first four games, beating Miami (OH) and Ole Miss on the road, and Rice. Vanderbilt lost its next four games, but on November 15, 2008, Vanderbilt defeated the Kentucky Wildcats to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1982. The Commodores finished the 2008 regular season with embarrassing losses to Tennessee and Wake Forest, completing the regular season with a 6-6 record (4-4 in the SEC).
Their 2008 finish was good enough for the Commodores to earn an invitation to play the Boston College
Eagles
in the Music City Bowl
on December 31, 2008. In a come-from-behind win, Vanderbilt narrowly beat Boston College by a score of 16–14, to win its first bowl game in fifty-three years.
The 2008 Vanderbilt Commodore football team is also noteworthy because it won the 2008 Academic Achievement Award from the American Football Coaches Association
(AFCA). This award recognizes graduate rate successes on the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level. Vanderbilt was recognized for graduating 95 percent of its 2001 freshman class, the highest graduation rate among all 119 FBS teams.
Junior cornerback D.J. Moore received All-SEC first team honors for the second straight season and second team All-American honors following the 2008 season. He was later drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
The upward trajectory of Vanderbilt football took a step back in 2009. Despite returning 18 starters from the 2008 bowl-championship season, the Commodores finished a disappointing 2-10. Numerous injuries contributed to the team's troubles, as several starters were lost with season-ending injuries, including Ryan Hamilton (Safety), Jared Hawkins (RB), James Williams (OL), and Larry Smith (QB). In addition, transfer WR and projected starter Terrence Jeffers was not academically eligible to play the entire season.
Source: 2010 Media Guide
As of 2011, the following persons are listed as the Vanderbilt Football Coaching Staff
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/alumni-tracker/school/1871
.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
team that represents Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
as a member of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. The Commodores
Vanderbilt Commodores
The Vanderbilt Commodores are the NCAA athletic teams of Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The university fields 16 varsity teams , 14 of which compete in the Southeastern Conference...
currently play their home games at Vanderbilt Stadium
Vanderbilt Stadium
Vanderbilt Stadium at Dudley Field is a football stadium located in Nashville, Tennessee. Completed in 1922 as the first stadium in the South to be used exclusively for college football, it is the home of the Vanderbilt University football team...
, located in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
Early success
Vanderbilt and the University of NashvilleUniversity of Nashville
The University of Nashville was an educational institution that existed as a distinct entity from 1826 until 1909. During its history, it operated at various times a medical school, a four-year military college, a literary arts college, and a boys preparatory school...
played the first college football game in the state of Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
in 1890. In 1894 Vanderbilt was among the seven founding members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association was one of the first collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. Twenty-seven of the current Division I FBS football programs were members of this conference at some point, as were at least 19 other schools...
. Just after the turn of the century, the team enjoyed fairly substantial success, with a composite record of 20-3-2 from 1901-03. That same year, Vanderbilt began one of its oldest rivalries: the Vanderbilt-Ole Miss rivalry
Vanderbilt-Ole Miss rivalry
The Vanderbilt–Ole Miss football rivalry is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Vanderbilt Commodores football team of Vanderbilt University and the Ole Miss Rebels football team of the University of Mississippi...
. Even so, Dan McGugin
Dan McGugin
Daniel Earle McGugin was an American football player, coach, and lawyer. He served as the head football coach at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee from 1904 to 1917 and again from 1919 to 1934, compiling a record of 197–55–19. He played college football at the University...
's arrival as coach from his brother-in-law Fielding H. Yost's Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
program in 1904 showed an immediate impact. The 1904 squad outscored its opposition by 474 to four in winning all nine games. McGugin's tenure spanned the years 1904-17 and 1919-34 with a record of 197-55-19.
In 1922, Vanderbilt hosted the University of Michigan to inaugurate Dudley Field. The game ended in a 0–0 tie and figures prominently in the program's history. VU football historian Bill Traughber chronicles the event:
- The game between Vanderbilt and Michigan had a carnival-like atmosphere.
- Dignitaries and politicians were invited to participate at Dudley Field, the largest football-only stadium in the South at that time. The guest of honor for the dedication game was Cornelius Vanderbilt, the great-great grandson of the university's namesakeCornelius VanderbiltCornelius Vanderbilt , also known by the sobriquet Commodore, was an American entrepreneur who built his wealth in shipping and railroads. He was also the patriarch of the Vanderbilt family and one of the richest Americans in history...
.
- Accompanied by his wife, Vanderbilt arrived at Nashville's Union Station on the morning of the game, his first trip to the city. The day's first event was a luncheon for the young Vanderbilt couple, which was held at the Hermitage Hotel and hosted by Vanderbilt University Board of Trust.
- Thousands of Vanderbilt students and alumni met downtown for a parade with Tennessee Governor Alf Taylor riding in the lead automobile. Decorated in orange and black, their automobile began the parade at Twelfth and Broadway, weaving through the side streets to a reviewing stand at the foot of the Capitol Building.
A young Earnest Albert Craft, born in 1898, employed with the construction team that built the Dudley Field wooden stands was in attendance the day of the game vs. Michigan. Earnest was called on to raise the first American flag during the national anthem. Later, Rev. Earnest Albert Craft would become city councilman of in the West Nashville area and 40 year pastor of Sylvan Park Free Will Baptist Church in Nashville. Clippings of this event are documented in archives of the old Nashville Banner newspaper. A copy of this newspaper account is held today by grandson by adoption, Albert D. Mitchell. Albert, named after E. A. Craft, lives on the west side of Nashville in Bellevue. He was a graduated of Cohn High School and later return to teach and coach at Cohn High School, finally retiring from the Metro Nashville School system in 1989.
1922 was also the year that Vanderbilt entered the Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
as a charter member. The Commodores tied for the conference championship in 1922 and 1923 and continued to finish in the upper half of the conference standings for the next decade.
In 1932, Vanderbilt—at the pinnacle of its athletics dominance in the South—joined the other SoCon schools south and west of the Appalachians in founding the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. The other charter members were Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
, Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
, Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
, Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, Auburn
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
, LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
, Mississippi State
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
, Sewanee, Georgia Tech
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
, and Tulane
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
.
Growing difficulty
Vanderbilt football has not won a conference championship since 1923. Vanderbilt has competed in only four bowl games (see below), with a combined all-time post-season record of 2–1–1. By comparison, none of the SEC's other charter members have fewer than 14 bowl appearances. Vanderbilt has finished ranked once, in 1948, when it finished #12 in the AP poll after an 8–2–1 season.The Commodores have found the going especially difficult since their last period of sustained success in the mid-1950s. Since 1959, Vanderbilt has posted only four winning seasons—in 1974, 1975, 1982 and 2008.
This trend seemed to be abating in the mid-1970s and early 1980s, with two of Vanderbilt's post-season appearances coming in 1974 and 1982, and with several near-winning season records.
The last Commodore team before the Bobby Johnson era with a winning record, George MacIntyre
George MacIntyre
-External links:...
's 1982 squad (with a record of 8–4), played in the Hall of Fame Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to the school's third all-time bowl appearance, the 1982 team's season-ending win against Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
, in which Vanderbilt quarterback Whit Taylor threw for 391 yards, marked a special season—but a season that proved an exception to years following, when a return to previous levels of mediocrity saw a veritable merry-go-round of head coaches.
MacIntyre was unable to put together another winner, and left after the 1985 season. From 1986 to 2001, when Bobby Johnson was hired, Vanderbilt was led by five coaches who averaged only four wins per season. During this time, the Commodores won only 18 games in SEC play. Included in this run were three 1–10 overall records, as well as five winless SEC records.
Since the start of the 2000 season Vanderbilt has record of only 36–93 and 14–74 in SEC play. This averages to only 3 wins and 9 losses a year.
Recent resurgence
Bobby JohnsonBobby Johnson
Robert Alan Johnson 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....
was hired in 2002 as the head football coach. Johnson had previously coached at NCAA Division I-AA power Furman, leading the Paladins to the Division I-AA title game in 2001, his final year. However, at the time, some questioned the wisdom of hiring a I-AA coach to lead a program in what has widely been reckoned as the strongest football conference in the nation.
Vanderbilt officials had pursued and offered the position initially to Gary Barnett
Gary Barnett
Gary Barnett is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Fort Lewis College , Northwestern University , and the University of Colorado at Boulder , compiling a career college football record of 92–94–2...
and Tyrone Willingham
Tyrone Willingham
Lionel Tyrone "Ty" Willingham is a former American football player and coach. He was the head coach at Stanford University , the University of Notre Dame , and the University of Washington , compiling a career college football record of 76–88–1.-Early career:Willingham attended...
, both of whom had steered small, private universities (Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
and Stanford
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
, respectively) to football success. Both turned down the job for different reasons.
The same critics that questioned Johnson's initial hiring also derided the loyalty given to Coach Johnson by the Vanderbilt administration after his first three seasons at the school led to three consecutive 2–9 records. During this time, however, Johnson was continuing to recruit players that had been passed over by major-power schools, but whom Johnson and his staff believed could be molded into SEC-caliber players.
Radical administrative restructuring
Along with this concerted program-development, Johnson joined Vanderbilt's Chancellor E. Gordon Gee and Vice Chancellor David Williams II in creating what the Administration called "a new culture in college athletics" at Vanderbilt. The University Administration, with Johnson's public support, abolished the Department of Athletics as a separate entity within the University's administrative structure, along with the job of Athletic Director -- a first among universities in a major Division I-A athletic conference. Intercollegiate athletics are now part of the Division of Student Life, overseen by Williams as Vice Chancellor of University Affairs.The Administration's loyalty to Johnson, which had paid dividends in his support for the radical changes in administration of the inter-collegiate athletics program also yielded on-the-field results in Johnson's fourth season at the helm of the Commodores.
Difficulty in the 2000s
Since the start of the 2000 season Vanderbilt has record of only 36–93 and 14–74 in SEC play. This averages to only 3 wins and 9 losses a year.In 2005, Vanderbilt finished with a 5–6 record, the program's best finish since 1999.
All-SEC Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler (American football)
Jay Christopher Cutler is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played football at Vanderbilt University. Cutler began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him as the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, the team's offensive captain that season and the offensive player of the year in the SEC, was selected 11th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
by the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and named starting quarterback for the last five games of his rookie season.
In the 2006 season, Vanderbilt finished with a 4–8 record with sophomore Chris Nickson at quarterback. The 2006 team's peak performance came with a 24–22 defeat of conference rival #16 ranked Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
at Sanford Stadium
Sanford Stadium
Sanford Stadium is the on-campus playing venue for football at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, United States. The 92,746-seat stadium is the seventh largest stadium in the NCAA. Architecturally, the stadium is known for the fact that its numerous expansions over the years have been...
, the first time Vanderbilt had ever defeated a ranked opponent on the road. The team came within seconds of defeating Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
and Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
in consecutive weeks.
Vanderbilt fans approached the 2007 season with considerable optimism, given the return of many experienced starters, including WR Earl Bennett
Earl Bennett
Earl Bennett is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
and the closeness of the Arkansas and Alabama losses. Vanderbilt started the year strong with a decisive victory over Richmond, but hopes for a win against Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
's Alabama squad fizzled in a 10–24 loss marked by several controversial penalties. Vanderbilt rebounded with strong wins against Ole Miss and Eastern Michigan, but the Ole Miss victory came at a cost, as quarterback Chris Nickson suffered an injury that negatively impacted his future performance and led to his mid-season replacement by Mackenzi Adams. While Vanderbilt appeared to be en route to a convincing homecoming win against #21 Georgia, a late-game Bulldog rally coupled with a costly Vanderbilt fumble in the final minutes of the fourth quarter led to a disappointing 17–20 loss. Vanderbilt rebounded with a stunning upset of #6 ranked South Carolina
2007 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
The 2007 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the Southeastern Conference during the college football season of 2007-2008. The Gamecocks were led by Steve Spurrier in his third season as USC head coach and played their home games in Williams-Brice...
17–6 at Williams-Brice Stadium
Williams-Brice Stadium
Williams-Brice Stadium is the home football stadium for the South Carolina Gamecocks, the college football team representing the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina...
in Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, beating a top 10 team for the first time in 33 years and a Steve Spurrier
Steve Spurrier
Stephen Orr Spurrier is an American college football coach and player. Spurrier is the current head coach of the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks football team. He is also a former professional player and coach...
-coached team for the first time ever. It was the highest ranked team Vanderbilt had beaten since defeating #6 LSU
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
in 1937. In the following home game against Miami (Ohio), junior wide receiver Earl Bennett
Earl Bennett
Earl Bennett is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
made history by breaking the SEC record for most career receptions. Vanderbilt would go on to win the game 24–13. With a 5–3 record entering the last four games of the season, the Commodores seemed primed for bowl eligibility. After a lopsided defeat against Florida and a close loss to Kentucky, the Commodores went to Knoxville to play Tennessee at Neyland Stadium for the first time since their 2005 win. Despite entering as heavy underdogs, Vanderbilt jumped out to a 24–9 lead at the end of the third quarter, but the Volunteers scored 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to win the game by one point. Vanderbilt went on to lose its final game of the series against Wake Forest 17–31.
In 2008, Vanderbilt began the season winning their first four games, beating Miami (OH) and Ole Miss on the road, and Rice. Vanderbilt lost its next four games, but on November 15, 2008, Vanderbilt defeated the Kentucky Wildcats to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1982. The Commodores finished the 2008 regular season with embarrassing losses to Tennessee and Wake Forest, completing the regular season with a 6-6 record (4-4 in the SEC).
Their 2008 finish was good enough for the Commodores to earn an invitation to play the Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
Eagles
Boston College Eagles football
The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division...
in the Music City Bowl
Music City Bowl
The Music City Bowl is a post-season American college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played in Nashville, Tennessee, since 1998.-Site:The first Music City Bowl was played at Vanderbilt Stadium in 1998...
on December 31, 2008. In a come-from-behind win, Vanderbilt narrowly beat Boston College by a score of 16–14, to win its first bowl game in fifty-three years.
The 2008 Vanderbilt Commodore football team is also noteworthy because it won the 2008 Academic Achievement Award from the American Football Coaches Association
American Football Coaches Association
The American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11,000 football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of...
(AFCA). This award recognizes graduate rate successes on the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level. Vanderbilt was recognized for graduating 95 percent of its 2001 freshman class, the highest graduation rate among all 119 FBS teams.
Junior cornerback D.J. Moore received All-SEC first team honors for the second straight season and second team All-American honors following the 2008 season. He was later drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
The upward trajectory of Vanderbilt football took a step back in 2009. Despite returning 18 starters from the 2008 bowl-championship season, the Commodores finished a disappointing 2-10. Numerous injuries contributed to the team's troubles, as several starters were lost with season-ending injuries, including Ryan Hamilton (Safety), Jared Hawkins (RB), James Williams (OL), and Larry Smith (QB). In addition, transfer WR and projected starter Terrence Jeffers was not academically eligible to play the entire season.
Johnson retires
On July 14, 2010, Bobby Johnson announced his retirement. With less than two months until the season opener, the move was a shock to many players and fans. "I’ve decided to retire, not resign," Johnson said.Bowl records
| Win | Loss | Tie |
| Date | Bowl | Vanderbilt | Opponent | ||
| Gator Bowl 1955 Gator Bowl The 1955 Gator Bowl, part of the 1955 bowl game season, was the eleventh annual contest and took place on December 31, 1955, at the Gator Bowl Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The competing teams were the and the , both representing the Southeastern Conference . Vanderbilt upset favored Auburn... |bgcolor="#FFE6BD"| Vanderbilt |
25 | Auburn Auburn Tigers football Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the... |
13 | ||
| Peach Bowl | bgcolor="#DDFFDD"| Vanderbilt |
6 | Texas Tech Texas Tech Red Raiders football Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
6 | ||
| Hall of Fame Bowl 1982 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl The 1982 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl, part of the 1982 bowl game season, was the sixth annual contest and took place on December 31, 1982, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. The competing teams were the , representing the Southeastern Conference , and the , representing the Western Athletic... | bgcolor="#AT4Z00"| Vanderbilt |
28 | Air Force Air Force Falcons football The Air Force Falcons are a college football team from the United States Air Force Academy, located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA Division I and the Mountain West Conference.-Style:... |
36 | ||
| Music City Bowl 2008 Music City Bowl The 2008 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl was the eleventh edition of the college football bowl game played at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. The game started at 2:30 pm US CST on Wednesday, December 31, 2008. The game, telecast on ESPN, pitted the Vanderbilt Commodores against the Boston... |bgcolor="#FFE6BD"| Vanderbilt |
16 | Boston College Boston College Eagles football The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division... |
14 | ||
| Record: 2–1–1 |
Year-by-year results
| Conference Champions | Bowl Eligible |
| Year | Conference | Coach | Conference | Overall | Notes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Loss | Tie | Pct. | Win | Loss | Tie | Pct. | ||||
| 1890 | None | Elliott H. Jones Elliott Jones -External links:... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | |||||
| 1891 | None | Elliott H. Jones | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | |||||
| 1892 | None | Elliott H. Jones | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | |||||
| 1893 | None | W. J. Keller W. J. Keller -External links:... |
6 | 1 | 0 | .857 | |||||
| 1894 | None | Henry Thornton Henry Thornton (railway manager) Also in 1894, Thornton began his career in the railroad business, entering as a draftsman of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was based in the Pittsburgh office. He was promoted to supervisory engineer in 1899 and District Superintendent in 1901. As he climbed rapidly through the PRR hierarchy, he... |
7 | 1 | 0 | .875 | |||||
| 1895 | SIAA Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association was one of the first collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. Twenty-seven of the current Division I FBS football programs were members of this conference at some point, as were at least 19 other schools... |
C. L. Upton C. L. Upton -External links:... |
5 | 3 | 1 | .556 | |||||
| 1896 | SIAA | R. G. Acton R. G. Acton -External links:... |
3 | 2 | 2 | .429 | |||||
| 1897 | SIAA | R.G. Acton | 6 | 0 | 1 | .857 | SIAA Champion | ||||
| 1898 | SIAA | R. G. Acton | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | |||||
| 1899 | SIAA | James L. Crane James L. Crane -External links:... |
7 | 2 | 0 | .778 | |||||
| 1900 | SIAA | James L. Crane | 4 | 4 | 1 | .444 | |||||
| 1901 | SIAA | W. H. Watkins W. H. Watkins -External links:... |
6 | 1 | 1 | .750 | SIAA Champion | ||||
| 1902 | SIAA | W. H. Watkins | 8 | 1 | 0 | .889 | |||||
| 1903 | SIAA | James H. Henry James H. Henry -External links:... |
6 | 1 | 1 | .750 | SIAA Champion (shared) | ||||
| 1904 | SIAA | Dan McGugin Dan McGugin Daniel Earle McGugin was an American football player, coach, and lawyer. He served as the head football coach at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee from 1904 to 1917 and again from 1919 to 1934, compiling a record of 197–55–19. He played college football at the University... |
9 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | SIAA Champion | ||||
| 1905 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 7 | 1 | 0 | .875 | SIAA Champion | ||||
| 1906 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 8 | 1 | 0 | .889 | SIAA Champion | ||||
| 1907 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 5 | 1 | 1 | .714 | SIAA Champion | ||||
| 1908 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 7 | 2 | 1 | .700 | |||||
| 1909 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 7 | 3 | 0 | .700 | |||||
| 1910 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 8 | 0 | 1 | .889 | SIAA Champion | ||||
| 1911 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 8 | 1 | 0 | .889 | SIAA Champion | ||||
| 1912 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 8 | 1 | 1 | .800 | SIAA Champion | ||||
| 1913 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 | |||||
| 1914 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | |||||
| 1915 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 9 | 1 | 0 | .900 | SIAA Champion | ||||
| 1916 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 7 | 1 | 1 | .778 | |||||
| 1917 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 | |||||
| 1918 | SIAA | Ray Morrison Ray Morrison J. Ray Morrison was an American football and baseball player and coach of football, basketball, and baseball in the United States... |
4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | Dan McGugin did not coach due to service in World War I World War I World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918... . |
||||
| 1919 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 5 | 1 | 2 | .625 | |||||
| 1920 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 5 | 3 | 1 | .556 | |||||
| 1921 | SIAA | Dan McGugin | 7 | 0 | 1 | .875 | |||||
| 1922 | Southern Southern Conference The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North... |
Dan McGugin | 8 | 0 | 1 | .889 | Southern Conference Champion | ||||
| 1923 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 5 | 2 | 1 | .625 | Southern Conference Champion | ||||
| 1924 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 6 | 3 | 1 | .600 | |||||
| 1925 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | |||||
| 1926 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 8 | 1 | 0 | .889 | |||||
| 1927 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 8 | 1 | 2 | .727 | |||||
| 1928 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 8 | 2 | 0 | .800 | |||||
| 1929 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 7 | 2 | 0 | .778 | |||||
| 1930 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 8 | 2 | 0 | .800 | |||||
| 1931 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | |||||
| 1932 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 6 | 1 | 2 | .667 | |||||
| 1933 | Southern | Dan McGugin | 2 | 2 | 2 | .500 | 4 | 3 | 3 | .400 | |
| 1934 | SEC Southeastern Conference The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama... |
Dan McGugin | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 | 6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | |
| 1935 | SEC | Ray Morrison | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 | 7 | 3 | 0 | .700 | |
| 1936 | SEC | Ray Morrison | 1 | 3 | 1 | .200 | 3 | 5 | 1 | .333 | |
| 1937 | SEC | Ray Morrison | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 7 | 2 | 0 | .778 | |
| 1938 | SEC | Ray Morrison | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 | 6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | |
| 1939 | SEC | Ray Morrison | 1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 2 | 7 | 1 | .200 | |
| 1940 | SEC | Red Sanders Henry Russell Sanders Henry Russell "Red" Sanders was an American college football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Vanderbilt University and the University of California at Los Angeles , compiling a career college football record of 102–41–3... |
1 | 5 | 1 | .143 | 3 | 6 | 1 | .300 | |
| 1941 | SEC | Red Sanders | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 8 | 2 | 0 | .800 | |
| 1942 | SEC | Red Sanders | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 6 | 4 | 0 | .600 | |
| 1943 | SEC | E. H. Alley E. H. Alley -External links:... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Red Sanders did not coach due to service in World War II World War II World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... . |
||||
| 1944 | SEC | Doby Bartling Doby Bartling -External links:... |
3 | 0 | 1 | .750 | Red Sanders did not coach due to service in World War II World War II World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... . |
||||
| 1945 | SEC | Doby Bartling | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 3 | 6 | 0 | .333 | Red Sanders did not coach due to service in World War II World War II World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... . |
| 1946 | SEC | Red Sanders | 3 | 4 | 0 | .429 | 5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | |
| 1947 | SEC | Red Sanders | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 6 | 4 | 0 | .600 | |
| 1948 | SEC | Red Sanders | 4 | 2 | 1 | .571 | 8 | 2 | 1 | .727 | Finished #12 in final AP poll |
| 1949 | SEC | Bill Edwards | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 5 | 5 | 0 | .500 | |
| 1950 | SEC | Bill Edwards | 3 | 4 | 0 | .429 | 7 | 4 | 0 | .636 | |
| 1951 | SEC | Bill Edwards | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 6 | 5 | 0 | .545 | |
| 1952 | SEC | Bill Edwards | 1 | 4 | 1 | .167 | 3 | 5 | 2 | .300 | |
| 1953 | SEC | Art Guepe Arthur Guepe Arthur L. "Art" Guepe was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Virginia from 1946 to 1952 and Vanderbilt University from 1953 to 1962, compiling a career college football record of 86–71–9.-Playing and assistant coaching career:Guepe... |
1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 3 | 7 | 0 | .300 | |
| 1954 | SEC | Art Guepe | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 2 | 7 | 0 | .222 | |
| 1955 | SEC | Art Guepe | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 | 8 | 3 | 0 | .727 | Defeated Auburn Auburn Tigers football Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the... in Gator Bowl Gator Bowl The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally... |
| 1956 | SEC | Art Guepe | 2 | 5 | 0 | .286 | 5 | 5 | 0 | .500 | |
| 1957 | SEC | Art Guepe | 3 | 3 | 1 | .429 | 5 | 3 | 2 | .500 | |
| 1958 | SEC | Art Guepe | 2 | 1 | 3 | .333 | 5 | 2 | 3 | .500 | |
| 1959 | SEC | Art Guepe | 3 | 2 | 2 | .429 | 5 | 3 | 2 | .500 | |
| 1960 | SEC | Art Guepe | 1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 3 | 7 | 0 | .300 | |
| 1961 | SEC | Art Guepe | 1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 2 | 8 | 0 | .200 | |
| 1962 | SEC | Art Guepe | 1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 1 | 9 | 0 | .100 | |
| 1963 | SEC | Jack Green | 0 | 5 | 2 | .000 | 1 | 7 | 2 | .100 | |
| 1964 | SEC | Jack Green | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 3 | 6 | 1 | .300 | |
| 1965 | SEC | Jack Green | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 2 | 7 | 1 | .200 | |
| 1966 | SEC | Jack Green | 0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 1 | 9 | 0 | .100 | |
| 1967 | SEC | Bill Pace Bill Pace Bill Pace was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Vanderbilt University from 1967 to 1972, compiling a record of 22–38–3. Pace also served as the athletic director at Vanderbilt from January 1, 1971 until he resigned on January 15, 1973... |
0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 7 | 1 | .200 | |
| 1968 | SEC | Bill Pace | 2 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 5 | 4 | 1 | .500 | |
| 1969 | SEC | Bill Pace | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 4 | 6 | 0 | .400 | |
| 1970 | SEC | Bill Pace | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4 | 7 | 0 | .364 | |
| 1971 | SEC | Bill Pace | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4 | 6 | 1 | .364 | |
| 1972 | SEC | Bill Pace | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 3 | 8 | 0 | .273 | |
| 1973 | SEC | Steve Sloan Steve Sloan Stephen Charles Sloan is a former American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He played college football as a quarterback at the University of Alabama from 1962 to 1965 and then played for two seasons in the National Football League with the Atlanta Falcons... |
1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | |
| 1974 | SEC | Steve Sloan | 2 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 7 | 3 | 2 | .583 | Tied Texas Tech in Peach Bowl 1974 Peach Bowl 1974 Peach Bowl was a postseason college football match between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Vanderbilt represented the Southeastern Conference and Texas Tech represented the Southwestern Conference in the competition... |
| 1975 | SEC | Fred Pancoast Fred Pancoast -External links:*... |
2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 7 | 4 | 0 | .636 | |
| 1976 | SEC | Fred Pancoast | 0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | |
| 1977 | SEC | Fred Pancoast | 0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | |
| 1978 | SEC | Fred Pancoast | 0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | |
| 1979 | SEC | George MacIntyre George MacIntyre -External links:... |
0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 1 | 10 | 0 | .091 | |
| 1980 | SEC | George MacIntyre | 0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | |
| 1981 | SEC | George MacIntyre | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4 | 7 | 0 | .364 | |
| 1982 | SEC | George MacIntyre | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | Lost to Air Force Air Force Falcons football The Air Force Falcons are a college football team from the United States Air Force Academy, located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA Division I and the Mountain West Conference.-Style:... in Hall of Fame Bowl |
| 1983 | SEC | George MacIntyre | 0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | |
| 1984 | SEC | George MacIntyre | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | |
| 1985 | SEC | George MacIntyre | 1 | 4 | 1 | .167 | 3 | 7 | 1 | .273 | |
| 1986 | SEC | Watson Brown Watson Brown Lester Watson Brown is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Tennessee Technological University, a position he has held since 2007... |
0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 1 | 10 | 0 | .091 | |
| 1987 | SEC | Watson Brown | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4 | 7 | 0 | .364 | |
| 1988 | SEC | Watson Brown | 2 | 5 | 0 | .286 | 3 | 8 | 0 | .273 | |
| 1989 | SEC | Watson Brown | 0 | 7 | 0 | .000 | 1 | 10 | 0 | .091 | |
| 1990 | SEC | Watson Brown | 1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 1 | 10 | 0 | .091 | |
| 1991 | SEC | Gerry DiNardo Gerry DiNardo Gerard DiNardo is a former American football player and coach. He played college football as a guard for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish where he was selected as an All-American in 1974... |
3 | 4 | 0 | .429 | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | |
| 1992 | SEC | Gerry DiNardo | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 4 | 7 | 0 | .364 | |
| 1993 | SEC | Gerry DiNardo | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | |
| 1994 | SEC | Gerry DiNardo | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | |
| 1995 | SEC | Rod Dowhower Rod Dowhower -External links:... |
1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | |
| 1996 | SEC | Rod Dowhower | 0 | 8 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | |
| 1997 | SEC | Woody Widenhofer Woody Widenhofer -External links:* *... |
0 | 8 | 0 | .000 | 3 | 8 | 0 | .273 | |
| 1998 | SEC | Woody Widenhofer | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | |
| 1999 | SEC | Woody Widenhofer | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | |
| 2000 | SEC | Woody Widenhofer | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 3 | 8 | 0 | .272 | |
| 2001 | SEC | Woody Widenhofer | 0 | 8 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | |
| 2002 | SEC | Bobby Johnson Bobby Johnson Robert Alan Johnson 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.... |
0 | 8 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 10 | 0 | .167 | |
| 2003 | SEC | Bobby Johnson | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 2 | 10 | 0 | .167 | |
| 2004 | SEC | Bobby Johnson | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | |
| 2005 | SEC | Bobby Johnson | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | |
| 2006 | SEC | Bobby Johnson | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 4 | 8 | 0 | .333 | |
| 2007 | SEC | Bobby Johnson | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 5 | 7 | 0 | .417 | |
| 2008 | SEC | Bobby Johnson | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 7 | 6 | 0 | .539 | Defeated Boston College 2008 Boston College Eagles football team The 2008 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Boston College's fourth season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The Eagles were led by... in Music City Bowl 2008 Music City Bowl The 2008 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl was the eleventh edition of the college football bowl game played at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. The game started at 2:30 pm US CST on Wednesday, December 31, 2008. The game, telecast on ESPN, pitted the Vanderbilt Commodores against the Boston... |
| 2009 | SEC | Bobby Johnson | 0 | 8 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 10 | 0 | .167 | |
| 2010 | SEC | Robbie Caldwell Robbie Caldwell -External links:*... |
1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 2 | 10 | 0 | .166 | |
| 2011 | SEC | James Franklin | 2 | 6 | 0 | .286 | 6 | 6 | 0 | .500 | |
| Totals | 124 | 380 | 17 | .247 | 564 | 573 | 50 | .496 | |||
Source: 2010 Media Guide
Coaching staff
As of 2011, the following persons are listed as the Vanderbilt Football Coaching Staff
| Name | Position | Years at VU |
| James Franklin | Head Coach | 0 |
| John Donovan John Donovan (American football) John Donovan is a college football coach, currently serving as the offensive coordinator for the Vanderbilt Commodores football program.- Coaching career :... |
Offensive Coordinator / Running Backs Coach | 0 |
| Bob Shoop | Defensive Coordinator / Safeties Coach | 0 |
| Charles Bankins | Special Teams Coordinator / Tight Ends Coach | 0 |
| Chris Beatty | Wide Receivers Coach | 0 |
| Herb Hand | Offensive Line Coach | 2 |
| Wesley McGriff | Defensive Backs Coach | 0 |
| Ricky Rahne | Quarterbacks Coach | 0 |
| Brent Pry | Co-Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach | 0 |
| Sean Spencer | Defensive Line Coach | 0 |
| Andy Frank | Assistant Director of Football Operations | 2 |
| Jemal Griffin | Football Chief of Staff | 0 |
| Ricky Rahne | Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach | 0 |
| Michael Hazel | Director of Football Operations | 2 |
| Norval McKenzie | Assistant Recruiting Coordinator | 2 |
| Joey Orck | Offensive Graduate Assistant | 2 |
| Tom Bossung | Head Athletic Trainer | 12 |
| Kevin Colon | Associate Director of Student Athletics | 0 |
| Dwight Galt | Football Strength and Conditioning Director | 0 |
| Chuck Losey | Football Assistant Strength Coach | 0 |
| Kevin Threlkel | Offensive Administrative Assistant | 0 |
| Luke Wyatt | Head Equipment Manager | 28 |
Commodores currently in the NFL
| Player | Years at VU | NFL Team |
| Reshard Langford Reshard Langford Reshard Nelson Langford is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Vanderbilt.... |
2004–2008 | Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... |
| D.J. Moore | 2006–2008 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Earl Bennett Earl Bennett Earl Bennett is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
2005–2007 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Curtis Gatewood Curtis Gatewood -College career:As a true freshman in 2003, Gatewood was redshirted but was named the scout team Defensive Player of the Week three times. In 2004, he played in every game as a backup linebacker and on special teams. He recorded nine tackles including multi tackle games on two occasions. As a... |
2004–2007 | Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Jonathan Goff Jonathan Goff Jonathan Goff is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Vanderbilt.-Early years:Jonathan Goff was born to Gwendolyn Tyre and Tobie Goff in Atlanta,... |
2004–2007 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Chris Williams Chris Williams (American football) Christopher Joseph Williams is an American football offensive guard for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears 14th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft... |
2004–2007 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Jay Cutler Jay Cutler (American football) Jay Christopher Cutler is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played football at Vanderbilt University. Cutler began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him as the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
2002–2005 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Jovan Haye Jovan Haye Jovan Haye is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft... |
2002–2004 | Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
| Jamie Winborn Jamie Winborn Jamie Winborn is an American football linebacker, currently a free agent and most recently for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft... |
1999–2001 | Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
| Myron Lewis Myron Lewis Myron Lewis is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League.Lewis played college football at Vanderbilt University, where he garnered SEC honors his junior and senior years.... |
2005–2009 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... |
| Thomas Welch Thomas Welch (American football) -First stint with Patriots:Welch was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract on June 4. He was waived during final cuts on September 4, 2010.... |
2005–2009 | New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/alumni-tracker/school/1871
College Football Hall of Fame
Vanderbilt Commodore football personnel have been inducted into the National Football Foundation's National College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
.
Players
| Name | Position | Years at VU |
| John J. Tigert John J. Tigert John James Tigert, IV was an American university president, university professor and administrator, college sports coach and the U.S. Commissioner of Education. Tigert was a native of Tennessee and the son and grandson of Methodist bishops... |
Halfback Halfback (American football) A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive... |
1901–1903 |
| Josh Cody Josh Cody Joshua C. Cody was an American college athlete, head coach and athletics director. Cody was a native of Tennessee and an alumnus of Vanderbilt University, where he was a three-time All-American college football player... |
Tackle | 1914–1916, 1919 |
| Lynn Bomar Lynn Bomar Robert Lynn Bomar was an American football end in the National Football League. He played college football for Vanderbilt University and was an All-American in 1923. He went on to play for the New York Giants in 1925 and 1926.He later went on to become warden of Tennessee State Prison.... |
End | 1922–1924 |
| William Spears Bill Spears William "Bill" Spears was an American football player and stand-out quarterback for the Vanderbilt Commodores football team from 1925 to 1927. Spears was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1962.... |
Quarterback | 1925–1927 |
| Carl Hinkle Carl Hinkle Carl C. Hinkle, Jr. was an American college football player who was a stand-out center for the Vanderbilt Commodores football team. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959.-External links:... |
Center | 1935–1937 |
Coaches
| Name | Years at VU |
| Dan McGugin Dan McGugin Daniel Earle McGugin was an American football player, coach, and lawyer. He served as the head football coach at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee from 1904 to 1917 and again from 1919 to 1934, compiling a record of 197–55–19. He played college football at the University... |
1904–1917, 1919–1934 |
| Ray Morrison Ray Morrison J. Ray Morrison was an American football and baseball player and coach of football, basketball, and baseball in the United States... |
1915–1952 |
| Jess Neely Jess Neely Jess C. Neely was an American football player and coach of football and baseball. He served as the head football coach at Southwestern University, now Rhodes College , Clemson University , and Rice University , compiling a career college football record of 207–176–19... |
1924–1966 |
| Red Sanders | 1940–1942, 1946–1948 |
| Bill Edwards | 1949–1952 |
Commodores All-Americans
| Player | Year | Pos |
| D.J. Moore | 2008 | DB |
| Earl Bennett Earl Bennett Earl Bennett is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
2006 | WR |
| Jamie Winborn Jamie Winborn Jamie Winborn is an American football linebacker, currently a free agent and most recently for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft... |
1999 | LB |
| Jamie Duncan Jamie Duncan Jamie Robert Duncan to James and Bertina Duncan, is a former American football linebacker in the NFL. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1998 NFL Draft. He also played for the St... |
1997 | LB |
| Bill Marinangel | 1996 | P |
| Boo Mitchell | 1988 | WR |
| Chris Gaines | 1987 | LB |
| Ricky Anderson Ricky Anderson Ricaldo Sherman Glenroy Anderson was an English cricketer. Born in Hammersmith, he was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler... |
1984 | P |
| Leonard Coleman Leonard Coleman Leonard Coleman is a former American football player who played cornerback in the National Football League in the 1980s. He played college football at Vanderbilt University and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1984 NFL Draft, the first player drafted by the team, following its... |
1983 | DB |
| Chuck Scott | 1983 | TE |
| Jim Arnold | 1982 | P |
| Allama Matthews | 1982 | TE |
| Preston Brown | 1979 | Back |
| Barry Burton | 1974 | TE |
| Bob Asher | 1969 | T |
| Chip Healy | 1968 | LB |
| George Diedrich | 1958 | G |
| Charley Horton | 1955 | RB |
| Bill Wade | 1951 | QB |
| Bob Werickle | 1951 | T |
| Bucky Curtis | 1950 | Receiver |
| Bob Gude | 1941 | C |
| Carl Hinkle | 1937 | C |
| Pete Gracey | 1932 | C |
| John Brown | 1929 | G |
| Dick Abernathy | 1928 | End |
| Bill Spears | 1927 | QB |
| Henry Wakefield | 1924 | End |
| Lynn Bomar | 1923 | End |
| Josh Cody Josh Cody Joshua C. Cody was an American college athlete, head coach and athletics director. Cody was a native of Tennessee and an alumnus of Vanderbilt University, where he was a three-time All-American college football player... |
1915, 1916, 1919 | T |
| Irby Curry Irby Curry Irby Rice "Rabbit" Curry was an American football quarterback for Vanderbilt University from 1914 to 1916. He was selected as a first-team All-Southern player in 1915 and 1916 and a third-team All-American in 1916... |
1916 | Back |
| Lewis Hardage | 1912 | Back |
| Ray Morrison Ray Morrison J. Ray Morrison was an American football and baseball player and coach of football, basketball, and baseball in the United States... |
1911 | QB |
| W.E Metzer | 1910 | G |
| Owsley Manier | 1906 | Back |
Conference recognition
Vanderbilt Commodores personnel, including coaches and players, have received recognition from the Southeastern Conference for their performances on the football field.Most valuable player
| Name | Year |
| Bob Goodridge | 1967 |
| Bill Wade | 1951 |
| Jack Jenkins | 1941 |
| Carl Hinkle Carl Hinkle Carl C. Hinkle, Jr. was an American college football player who was a stand-out center for the Vanderbilt Commodores football team. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959.-External links:... |
1937 |
| Willie Geny | 1935 |
Offensive player of the year
| Name | Year |
| Jay Cutler Jay Cutler (American football) Jay Christopher Cutler is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played football at Vanderbilt University. Cutler began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him as the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
2005 |
Freshman of the year
| Name | Year |
| Kwane Doster | 2002 |
| Warren Norman Warren Norman Warren Norman is an American football player for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Norman was the 2009 Southeastern Conference Freshman Player of the Year according the Associated Press and the SEC Head Coaches.... |
2009 |
Best blocker
| Name | Year |
| Jack Jenkins | 1941, 1942 |
Best wide receiver
| Name | Year |
| Earl Bennett Earl Bennett Earl Bennett is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
2005–2007 |
Coach of the year
| Name | Year |
| Bobby Johnson | 2008 |
| George MacIntyre | 1982 |
| Art Guepe | 1955 |
| Red Sanders | 1941 |
| Ray Morrison | 1937 |