Vanderbilt Commodores football

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Vanderbilt Commodores

Year founded: 1890
Helmet Logo
City	Nashville, Tennessee
Stadium	Dudley Field at Vanderbilt Stadium (grass, capacity 40,000)
Head Coach	Bobby Johnson
League/Conference affiliations
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1895-1921) Southern Conference (1922-1931) Southeastern Conference (1932-present) Eastern Division (1992-present)
National Championships (2 disputed) 1906 Billingsley, 1911 Billingsley [1]
SIAC Championships (11) 1897, 1901, 1903 (shared), 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1915
Southern Conference Championships (2) 1922, 1923 [2]
Team Colors	Black and Gold
Mascot	Commodores
Fight song	Dynamite
Marching band	Spirit of Gold Marching Band

The Vanderbilt Commodores football team represents Vanderbilt University in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Contents 1 Early success 2 Growing difficulty 3 Recent Years 3.1 The Bobby Johnson era 3.2 Radical administrative restructuring 3.3 Twenty-first Century 4 Perspective on the program 5 Records 5.1 Win/loss records 5.2 Bowl records 5.3 2006 Season 5.4 2007 Schedule 6 Vanderbilt personnel 6.1 Coaching staff 6.2 Commodores currently in the NFL 7 Hall of Fame 7.1 Players 7.2 Coaches 8 Conference recognition 8.1 Players 8.1.1 Most valuable player 8.1.2 Offensive player of the year 8.1.3 Freshman of the year 8.1.4 Best blocker 8.2 Coaches 8.2.1 Coach of the year 9 References

[edit] Early success

Vanderbilt and the University of Nashville played the first college football game in the state of Tennessee in 1890. ^[3] In 1894 Vanderbilt was among the seven founding members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. ^[4] Just after the turn of the century, the team enjoyed fairly substantial success, with a composite record of 20-3-2 from 1901-03. ^[5] Even so, Dan McGugin's arrival as coach from his brother-in-law Fielding 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. ^[6] McGugin's tenure spanned the years 1904-17 and 1919-34 with a record of 197-55-19 -- and two national championships. ^[7]

Although McGugin never managed to defeat Michigan, the 1922 0-0 tie with the Wolverines to inaugurate Dudley Field 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 namesake.

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. ^[8]

In 1932, Vanderbilt -- at the pinnacle of its athletics dominance in the South^[9] -- helped found the Southeastern Conference, with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, Sewanee, Georgia Tech, and Tulane.^[10]

[edit] Growing difficulty

However, Vanderbilt football has not won a conference championship since the foundation of the Southeastern Conference in 1932, and its last winning season was in 1982 under coach George McIntyre. In its entire history, Vanderbilt has only competed in three bowl games (see below), with a combined all-time post-season record of 1-1-1.

It was in the late 1970s and early 1980s that it seemed this trend could be abating, with two of Vanderbilt's post-season appearances coming in 1974 and 1982, and with several near-winning season records.

The last Commodore team with a winning record, the 1982 squad (with a record of 8-4), played in the Hall of Fame Bowl. 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, was marked as a special season -- but as 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.

From the period 1982 to 2002, when Bobby Johnson was hired, Vanderbilt was led by six coaches, who averaged barely four years per coach.^[11]

[edit] Recent Years

[edit] The Bobby Johnson era

Bobby Johnson was hired in 2002 as the head football coach. At the time, many questioned the University administration's decision to elevate a Division I-AA coach (Johnson had previously coached at Furman University, a Southern Conference team) to what many perceive as the nation's premiere college football conference, the SEC.

The same critics that questioned Johnson's initial hiring also derided the seemingly misplaced 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 who Johnson and his staff believed could be molded into SEC-caliber players.

[edit] 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 Athletics Director -- a first among universities in a major Division I-A athletic conference.

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.

[edit] Twenty-first Century

In 2005, Vanderbilt finished with a 5-6 record, the program's best finish since 1999. For the first time since 1982, and for the first time in Knoxville since 1975, Vanderbilt defeated its in-state rival, the Tennessee Volunteers (the Vols exacted revenge the next year, beating the 'Dores at Dudley Field 39-10).

Quarterback Jay Cutler, the team's offensive captain that season, was selected 11th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and named starting quarterback during 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 defeat of conference rival Georgia at Sanford Stadium, though the team came within seconds of defeating Arkansas and Alabama in consecutive weeks.

[edit] Perspective on the program

Atlanta Journal-Constitution college football writer Tony Barnhart's 2006 postseason survey of ten former SEC coaches ranked the Vanderbilt job the least attractive in the SEC.

[edit] Records

[edit] Win/loss records

As of December 2006, the Vanderbilt Commodores' have won more games than they have lost.^[12] However, records show that in the mid- and late-twentieth century, the Commodore football program experienced a considerable down-swing in success on the playing field.^[13]

• All-time record: 537-527-50 (.505)
• Against current SEC teams: 179-340-22 (.345)
• Since 1950: 177-376-17 (.320)
• Under current head coach (Bobby Johnson, 2002-present): 15-43-0 (.259)
• Against SEC opponents under current head coach: 6-40-0 (.130)

[edit] Bowl records

Date	Bowl	Opponent	Result
Dec. 31, 1955	Gator Bowl	Auburn Tigers	W 25-13
Dec. 28, 1974	Peach Bowl	Texas Tech Red Raiders	Tie 6-6
Dec. 31, 1982	Hall of Fame Bowl	Air Force Eagles	L 28-36

• Total bowl record: 1-1-1 (.500)

[edit] 2006 Season

Date	Opponent	Result	TV
Sat., Sept. 2	@ Michigan Wolverines	L 7-27	ESPN
Sat., Sept. 9	@ Alabama Crimson Tide	L 10-13	Fox Sports South
Sat., Sept. 16	Arkansas Razorbacks	L 19-21	LF Sports
Sat., Sept. 23	Tennessee State Tigers	W 38-9
Sat., Sept. 30	Temple Owls	W 43-14
Sat., Oct. 7	@Mississippi Rebels	L 10-17
Sat., Oct. 14	@Georgia Bulldogs	W 24-22	LF Sports
Sat., Oct. 21	South Carolina Gamecocks (homecoming)	L 13-31
Sat., Oct. 28	@ Duke Blue Devils	W 45-28
Sat., Nov. 4	Florida Gators	L 19-25	LF Sports
Sat., Nov. 11	@Kentucky Wildcats	L 26-38
Sat., Nov. 18	Tennessee Volunteers	L 10-39	LF Sports

Southeastern Conference games in bold, away games marked with @

[edit] 2007 Schedule

Date	Opponent
Sat., Sept. 1	Richmond Spiders
Sat., Sept. 8	Alabama Crimson Tide
Sat., Sept. 15	Mississippi Rebels
Sat., Sept. 29	Eastern Michigan Eagles
Sat., Oct. 6	@Auburn Tigers
Sat., Oct. 13	Georgia Bulldogs (homecoming)
Sat., Oct. 20	@South Carolina Gamecocks
Sat., Oct. 27	Kent State Golden Flashes
Sat., Nov. 3	@Florida Gators
Sat., Nov. 10	Kentucky Wildcats
Sat., Nov. 17	@Tennessee Volunteers
Sat., Nov. 24	Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Southeastern Conference games in bold, away games marked with @

[edit] Vanderbilt personnel

[edit] Coaching staff

As of 2006, the following persons were on the Vanderbilt Football Coaching Staff:

Name	Position	Years at VU
Bobby Johnson	Head coach	5
Warren Belin	Linebackers	5
Jame Bryant	Defensive backs	5
Ted Cain	Offensive coordinator	5
Robbie Caldwell	Assistant head coach Offensive line	5
Kenny Carter	Running backs	3
Charlie Fisher	Receivers	5
Bruce Fowler	Defensive coordinator	5
Jimmy Kiser	Quarterbacks	5
Rick Logo	Defensive line	1
John Sisk	Strength and conditioning	5

Source: Vanderbilt 2006 Football Media Guide

[edit] Commodores currently in the NFL

Player	Years at VU	NFL Team
Jay Cutler	2002-2005	Denver Broncos
Justin Geisinger	2001-2004	Tennessee Titans
Jovan Haye	2002-2004	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hunter Hillenmeyer	1999-2002	Chicago Bears
Matt Stewart	1998-2001	Cleveland Browns
Jimmy Williams	1998-2001	Seattle Seahawks
Jamie Winborn	1999-2001	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Todd Yoder	1997-2000	Washington Redskins
Corey Chavous	1995-1998	St. Louis Rams
Shelton Quarles	1991-1994	Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Source: Vanderbilt 2006 Football Media Guide

[edit] Hall of Fame

Vanderbilt Commodore football personnel have been inducted into the National Football Foundation's National College Football Hall of Fame.^[14]

[edit] Players

Name	Position	Years at VU
John J. Tigert	Fullback	1901-1903
Josh Cody	Tackle	1914-1916, 1919
Lynn Bomar	End	1922-1924
William Spears	Quarterback	1925-1927
Carl Hinkle	Center	1935-1937

[edit] Coaches

Name	Years at VU
Dan McGugin	1904-1917, 1919-1934
Ray Morrison	1915-1952
Jess Neely	1924-1966
Red Sanders	1940-1942, 1946-1948

[edit] Conference recognition

Vanderbilt Commodores personnel, including coaches and players, have received recognition from the Southeastern Conference for their performances on the football field. ^[15]

[edit] Players

[edit] Most valuable player

Name	Year
Bob Goodridge	1967
Bill Wade	1951
Jack Jenkins	1941
Carl Hinkle	1937
Willie Geny	1935

[edit] Offensive player of the year

Name	Year
Jay Cutler	2005

[edit] Freshman of the year

Name	Year
Kwane Doster	2002

[edit] Best blocker

Name	Year
Jack Jenkins	1941, 1942

[edit] Coaches

[edit] Coach of the year

Name	Year
George MacIntyre	1982
Art Guepe	1955
Red Sanders	1941
Ray Morrison	1937

[edit] References

1. ^ Past Division I-A Football National Champions. NCAA. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.
2. ^ Vanderbilt Football History Database. NationalChamps.net. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.
3. ^ College Football. Tennessee Historical Society. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
4. ^ Ibid.
5. ^ All-Time Records for Vanderbilt. Stassen.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
6. ^ James Howell. Vanderbilt Historical Scores. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
7. ^ Southeastern Conference. College Football Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2006-12-08.
8. ^ Bill Traughber. CHC- Vandy Ties Michigan in 1922. Vanderbilt University. Retrieved on 2006-12-08.
9. ^ As witnessed by its win/loss records to that date
10. ^ See Southeastern Conference for more.
11. ^ Source: Vanderbilt 2006 Football Media Guide
12. ^ Source: Vanderbilt 2006 Football Media Guide and media reports (for 2006 records)
13. ^ Ibid.
14. ^ According to the Vanderbilt 2006 Football Media Guide.
15. ^ According to the Vanderbilt 2006 Football Media Guide.

Southeastern Conference football teams
Eastern Division: Florida Gators • Georgia Bulldogs • Kentucky Wildcats • South Carolina Gamecocks • Tennessee Volunteers • Vanderbilt Commodores Western Division: Alabama Crimson Tide • Arkansas Razorbacks • Auburn Tigers • LSU Tigers • Ole Miss Rebels • Mississippi State Bulldogs