In the interim, Caldwell beams

HOOVER, Ala. — After 32 seasons as a college assistant football coach, Robbie Caldwell is getting a shot to run his own program.

Caldwell, 56, was appointed Vanderbilt’s interim head coach July 14 after Bobby Johnson’s surprising retirement.

“I’m just thrilled to have an opportunity,” Caldwell said at SEC media days. “I told my wife, ‘If it’s two days or 20 years, I will now be able to say, hey, I was a head coach.’

“The last few years, I started getting to that age where you wonder, ‘Will I get that chance?’

“I’m honored, man. This is the greatest thrill of my life other than my child being born. It’s just tremendous.”

Caldwell, a Furman graduate from Pageland, S.C., has been Vanderbilt’s offensive line coach since 2002. His previous college coaching stops were Furman and North Carolina State.

“This is awesome,” Caldwell said of speaking at SEC media days, where his self-deprecating humor drew repeated laughs from reporters. “I’ve heard about it for all these years, but never actually seen it.”

Caldwell said that when he ate at the Wynfrey Hotel restaurant the night before his SEC media duties, he opened the door for someone and got a $1.50 tip - which he promptly returned.

Vanderbilt’s players, like Caldwell, are in an adjustment period.

“Y’all know as much about him as I do,” Commodores sophomore running back Warren Norman said to reporters. “I know what he looks like, and what he sounds like when he’s not happy with the offensive line.

“I know he’s the coach. What else matters?”

Junior linebacker Chris Marve, who led Vanderbilt with 121 tackles last season, said there was disappointment when Johnson told the team of his retirement after eight seasons as the Commodores’ coach.

“But the initial shock was over the same day,” Marve said. “That day, we had 80 guys working out together. We decided as a team that we have to move forward and keep moving.

“Now Coach Caldwell is making a great effort to get to know us better, and for us to get to know him. We’ll get there.”

The Commodores went 7-6 in 2008 and beat Boston College in the Music City Bowl, but that’s their only winning season since 1982.

Last season, Vanderbilt fell back to 2-10, including 0-8 in the SEC. A similar record likely will end Caldwell’s head coaching tenure, but he said none of the coaches are worried about his interim label.

“Our coaches are professionals,” Caldwell said. “That doesn’t concern them one bit.

“Obviously, Vanderbilt will do the right thing.”

Caldwell called it “an absolutely fair situation” and that Vanderbilt’s administration has expressed strong support.

“All I know how to do is work,” he said. “I’ve been a worker all my life.

“My wife said, ‘You can’t talk about anything but football,’ but I can. I can talk about pouring concrete, farming, being a pipefitter, working on a turkey farm.

“Those are the things I did prior to getting into football. That’s the God’s truth.”

Caldwell was at his most amusing when talking about his days on the turkey farm and being on the “inseminating crew,” helping to fertilize eggs to produce a better turkey in the hatchery.

“He’s a great storyteller,” Vanderbilt senior linebacker John Stokes said. “He reminds me of Jerry Clower.

In recent years, Caldwell turned down offers from some other schools - including South Carolina - to stay at Vanderbilt with Johnson.

Caldwell said it was “bittersweet” replacing Johnson, but that he’s happy his close friend is healthy and can enjoy retirement with his wife.

“Football lost a great man and a great coach,” Caldwell said. “Fortunately, I’ll be able to call on him for advice.”

Caldwell described himself “as a country boy” in answer to a question about his personality.

“I enjoy my roots,” he said. “I like to think I’m a humble guy.”

NEXT South Carolina About the Commodores LAST YEAR 2-10, 0-8 SEC RETURNING STARTERS Offense 6, defense 5 SURE THING Linebackers UNSURE THING Quarterback, offensive line OFFENSIVE MVP RB Warren Norman DEFENSIVE MVP LB Chris Marve SEC TITLE SCENARIO Vanderbilt, a charter member of the SEC when it was formed in 1933, never has won a football championship. That doesn’t figure to change in 2010. The Commodores look to be solid on defense, but will struggle to score points, and they have a killer schedule. Ten of Vanderbilt’s opponents played in bowl games last season.