Russ Johnson enters his third year as the pole vault coach for the
Volunteers.

Johnson returned to The Hill in 2006 with the goal of helping Tennessee vaulters continue to build on their long history of dominance in the SEC.
He has accomplished that goal in impressive fashion, as his vaulters have won all four of the SEC titles earned during his tenure at Tennessee. A pole vault four-peat at one school has only been accomplished seven times since the SEC Indoor Championships began in 1957, and Tennessee s was the first since LSU in 1999-2000. UT pole vaulters have scored 73 points at the four SEC meets since Johnson took the reigns.

At the 2007 SEC Outdoor Championships, Johnson's four vaulters scored 24.5 points in the pole vault to give Tennessee the lead in the team standings on Saturday afternoon. Tennessee only trailed one time after the pole vault, falling 1.5 points behind LSU for one event on Sunday before reclaiming the lead and returning home with the program s 25th conference outdoor title.

Michael Hogue claimed back-to-back SEC indoor titles and became Johnson's first All-America with his fifth-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships with a personal-best clearance of 17-8 1/2 that ranks ninth on Tennessee s all-time performance list in the event. Hogue continued his championship performance at the SEC Outdoor Championships, extending his season-long outdoor winning streak to six before having it stopped with a fifth-place finish at the Mideast Regional. Hogue then cleared 17-6 1/2 and earned his second All-America certificate at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

The one SEC pole vault championship that Hogue did not win went to fellow Vol Chris Helwick, a decathlete that Johnson also coached to the 2006 SEC outdoor pole vault title, helping Helwick claim the Commissioner s Trophy as the meet s highest scorer.

In addition to Hogue s victories in 2007, Johnson also coached Andy Lane to a third-place finish at the SEC Indoor Championships and a second-place clearance at the SEC Outdoor Championships. Redshirt freshman Brad Holtz rounded out Tennessee s scoring quartet at the conference outdoor meet, finishing fifth.

Johnson brings a strong vaulting background to the table after a successful career as a Tennessee athlete. He currently stands second on Tennessee s storied pole vault top-10 list with a best of 18-6 1/2, trailing only collegiate record holder Lawrence Johnson. A former SEC champion and three-time All-America; Johnson understands what it takes to be successful against SEC and NCAA competition.

Serving as a fifth-year coach in 2000 and training post collegiately in 2000 and 2001, Johnson has remained involved in the pole vault and has continued to diligently study the event. He also holds firm beliefs about the importance of developing strong student-athletes, after authoring two Academic All-America seasons himself.

Johnson would like to extend his gratitude to Jim Bemiller for his selfless efforts over the last 18 years. Bemiller helped build one of the most successful and consistent pole vault programs in the nation, and Johnson credits him for helping to mold his passion for the sport. Johnson hopes to continue that model of success for years to come. He also wishes to express sincere thanks to Bill Webb for allowing him the opportunity to share his love and knowledge of the pole vault.

Johnson received his bachelor s and masters degrees in sports medicine from the University of Tennessee. He went on to earn a maste s of physical therapy from the Medical College of Georgia in 2004. He currently works as a sports medicine physical therapist at SEO Therapy in Knoxville. Johnson is also a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

He is married to Lesly Johnson, former Lady Vol pole vaulter and All-America sprinter.