2008-09: Thanks to Bobby Johnson's emphasis of building off a solid foundation, respect is returning to the Vanderbilt football team.

Johnson, entering his seventh season at the helm of Commodore football, has vastly upgraded the program thanks in large part to his continuing commitment to character, integrity, effort and playing the game of football with passion.

Vanderbilt fans are buying into Johnson's improving Commodores. The program sold more season tickets in 2007 than any year since 1996. As the 2008 season approaches, athletic officials expect season ticket sales to surpass 2007 figures.

In six years, Johnson has directed a transformation of the program that has the student-athletes of Vanderbilt football positioned to succeed on and off the field. Johnson's last three squads have been more competitive than Commodore teams in more than a decade. Though the 2005-07 teams narrowly missed bowl appearances, they did garner 14 victories, including an impressive string of road wins at four of the Southeastern Conference's toughest venues - Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina.

When he came to Vanderbilt from a highly successful career at Furman University in December 2001, Johnson didn't have four-and five-win seasons on his mind. Johnson came to Nashville fully expecting to turn the Commodores into a perennial winner that competes for titles - and he hasn't wavered at all from that intent.

As Johnson continues to reshape the program, his impact on the 2008 squad will be more pronounced than ever before. Johnson believes the team he welcomes to camp in late July is well positioned to compete effectively and consistently in what most observers believe is America's premier football conference.

Nothing short of attaining that standard will satisfy Bobby Johnson, one of the NCAA's most highly respected coaches. Johnson expects success, on and off the football field.

Seven years ago, Johnson walked onto the Vanderbilt campus after leading his Furman squad to the NCAA I-AA national championship game. He came to Nashville believing that the Commodores would succeed competitively only if each student-athlete, coach and member of the Vanderbilt football family worked to get better each day. Johnson's plan for ultimate success placed as much emphasis on coaches' efforts in recruiting as it did players' conditioning - everyone had to get better.

Johnson's plan is showing dividends. The Commodore coaching staff, from its coordinators to the strength assistants, almost mirrors the group Johnson selected in his first months on campus. When the only three coaching vacancies during Johnson's tenure became available, he acted quickly to attract highly qualified replacements. He expanded the roles of four current members of the staff. With his hand-picked conditioning director John Sisk in place, Johnson has witnessed a revival of the Commodores' conditioning program. Facility upgrades have occurred - and plans for more than $40 million in additional improvements to Vanderbilt Stadium and football facilities in McGugin Center were announced in May. Commodore student-athletes lift weights and practice in modern facilities that did not exist prior to Johnson's arrival on campus. The head coach has even enhanced the way players and coaches study game film by installing the latest in video and computer technologies.

The aim of winning football games at Vanderbilt is a formidable task for any coach. In 2005, Johnson directed his Commodores to their best record in years. The squad's five victories, which included three on the road, were the most in seven seasons. Three wins in SEC play were the most by a Vanderbilt team since the league went to divisional play in 1992. Last year, Commodore fans watched a veteran squad get off to a 5-3 record, including a road win over No. 6 ranked South Carolina, then compete toe-to-toe with Georgia and Tennessee only to lose last-minute decisions.

College football observers and pro scouts are taking notice of Johnson's efforts to upgrade talent on the Commodore roster. Seven upperclassmen from the 2007 squad are currently competing for pro spots in NFL camps. Three of the seven, led by the first round selection of offensive tackle Chris Williams, were taken in the NFL Draft. With Williams joining 2005 standout Jay Cutler as a first rounder, Johnson became the first Vanderbilt coach in 48 years to have two players selected in the opening round in a three-year span.

While Williams' ascension in the draft dominated postseason attention, others made plenty of news during the 2007 season. Midway through his third varsity season, Earl Bennett became the SEC's all-time leading receiver. He finished with 238 receptions, 30 more than the former record holder. As senior linebacker Jonathan Goff continued to pile up tackles, versatile sophomore D.J. Moore exploded on the scene. Moore became the SEC's top triple threat, ranking among its leaders in interceptions and kickoff return yardage while producing fireworks as a limited-duty running back/receiver.

Under Johnson, 19 Commodores have earned All-SEC recognition. Johnson has mentored 13 freshmen All-SEC selections, including Vanderbilt's first SEC Freshman of the Year in 2002. Off the field, the Commodores are SEC leaders in academic honor roll recognition.

The national media also is taking notice of Johnson's tenure at Vanderbilt. In 2006, the Commodores christened the college football season for ESPN after the network approached Vanderbilt officials about a trip to Ann Arbor to play Michigan. In the last three years, 14 Vanderbilt games have been on national or regional television.

Johnson arrived at Vanderbilt from Furman where he left few accomplishments unfulfilled. During an eight-year reign as head coach at Furman, Johnson guided the Paladins to a 60-36 overall record, a NCAA I-AA national runner-up finish, four NCAA appearances and a pair of Southern Conference titles.

In the weeks leading to becoming Vanderbilt's 25th head coach, Johnson directed Furman to the pinnacle of success in 2001, culminating a tremendous rebuilding job by the head coach. The Paladins reached the I-AA national championship for the first time in 13 years, falling to No. 1 ranked Montana in the title game.

Johnson's coaching career, which covers 31 years, began in 1976 as defensive ends coach at Furman. By 1983, he was elevated to Furman's defensive coordinator, serving a decade in that role. After one year as the defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Johnson returned to Furman to accept the head coaching job.

Off the field, the engaging South Carolina native is as comfortable talking to young Commodore followers at Dore Jam fan activities as he is encouraging callers to the 104.5 The Zone Radiothon to open their wallets in support of the Charles Davis Foundation.

A native of Columbia, S.C., Johnson was a three-sport standout at Eau Claire High School. He continued playing at Clemson, where he lettered three years as a receiver and cornerback, and graduated in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in management. In 1979, he was awarded a master's degree in education from Furman.

He is married to the former Catherine Bonner of Charleston, S.C.