HOOVER, Ala. — In the 25 seasons Bear Bryant was at Alabama, Vanderbilt went through six head football coaches. In the six seasons Bobby Johnson has been at Vanderbilt, Alabama has gone through four.

That’s not to compare Bryant and Johnson, but when Johnson embarks on his seventh season late next month, he will match George MacIntyre for the longest stint for a Commodores coach in nearly 50 years.

“I remember my first press conference,” Johnson said Wednesday. “I think the very first day I was at Vanderbilt, some guy said, ‘How long do you think you’ve got before they fire you?’ Really, he did. I said, ‘I don’t know.’ You know, that never was a thought.”

After guiding Furman to the 2001 NCAA I-AA championship game at Finley Stadium, Johnson took the Vandy job and won just two league games in his first three seasons. He has won six SEC games the past three seasons, including wins at Tennessee in 2005 and at Georgia in 2006.

Last season, the Commodores whipped sixth-ranked South Carolina in Columbia, which was the highest-ranked foe they had defeated in more than 70 years.

Vandy continues to seek its first bowl appearance since 1982, and it will take at least six wins to attain such a feat. The Commodores won five games in 2005 and again last season.

“I knew what I was getting into when I came to Vanderbilt,” Johnson said. “I knew it was going to be a long project. We think it’s always going to be tough because we’re in the SEC, but we’re also confident that we can compete with anybody on our schedule.”

Celebration relived

Florida players do not need reminders about Georgia’s excessive celebration following the opening touchdown of last season’s game in Jacksonville. The Bulldogs stormed the end zone from the sideline and went on to a 42-30 win, just their third against the Gators since 1990.

“You haven’t seen it since then, but we have,” Florida senior tackle Phil Trautwein said. “They show us clips of it all the time. It’s motivation to us. Every time we run stadium steps, that’s what is on the video. It’s definitely motivating us this offseason.”

Gators quarterback Tim Tebow said he’s not bitter about Georgia’s antics and credited Bulldogs coach Mark Richt for making a good call.

“That changed their season,” Tebow said. “It gave them a spark, some energy and something to be passionate about. Whether it was right or wrong is not for me to say.”

Chaney doing well

Due to concerns about his transcript, middle linebacker Jamar Chaney was denied entrance to Georgia in 2005. He was accepted at Mississippi State right before the start of training camp and has gone on to play in 36 consecutive games.

Chaney led MSU last season with 89 tackles.

“I’ve pretty much forgotten about my little situation at Georgia,” Chaney said. “Some of my best friends are at the University of Georgia, but I’m pretty happy at Mississippi State and wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve been blessed to have a great career here and be a part of a great team.”

Odds and ends

Florida coach Urban Meyer said he will use two tight ends more this year because of a surplus at that spot with Cornelius Ingram, Tate Casey and Aaron Hernandez. ... Meyer also said this is the best he’s felt at running back “and it’s not even comparable.” ... Mississippi State opens this season on the road at Louisiana Tech. ... CSS again plans a full slate of replays each Sunday, starting with South Carolina at noon, Ole Miss at 2, Mississippi State at 4, Auburn at 6 and Alabama at 9. Georgia games will be replayed each Monday at noon and 9.

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