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Russ Johnson                  Position: Volunteer Assistant (Men's Pole Vault)

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Russ Johnson is in his fifth year as the pole vault coach for the Volunteers. Johnson returned to The Hill in 2006 with the goal of helping Tennessee's pole vaulters continue to build on their long history of dominance in the SEC. He has done exactly that, and with great consistency, since taking over coaching duties in the event.

Johnson's vaulters have won eight SEC titles during his tenure at Tennessee. UT pole vaulters have combined to score 147 points at eight SEC Championships since Johnson began coaching, an average of 18 points per competition.

In 2009, Johnson's vaulters posted a 1-2-4 finish at the SEC Indoor Championships and a 1-4-7 outcome at the SEC Outdoor meet. The champion at both meets was sophomore Joe Berry, who has won three-straight SEC pole vault crowns under Johnson and also has a runner-up finish to his credit.

Berry's wins, along with top-eight finishes from Brad Holtz and Michael Ayers both indoors and outdoors, mean Johnson has coached at least three athletes to scoring performances at five-consecutive conference meets.

In 2008, Johnson coached Michael Hogue to his third-straight SEC crown indoors and Berry to a conference title outdoors while Holtz managed two scoring performances and Ayers secured one.

Outdoors in 2007, Johnson had four vaulters score 24.5 points in the pole vault to give Tennessee the lead in the team standings on Saturday afternoon, helping the Vols to the program's 25th conference outdoor title.

Johnson also is responsible for putting Hogue and Berry on the program's all-time top-10 list in the pole vault. Berry is ninth at 5.41m (17-9) and Hogue is 10th at 5.40m (17-8 1/2). Holtz sits at 12th on the all-time list with a top clearance of 5.30m (17-4.5) with one year of outdoor eligibility remaining.

Johnson also boasts a successful career as a Tennessee athlete. He currently stands second on Tennessee's storied pole vault top-10 list with a best of (5.65m) 18-6.5, trailing only collegiate record holder Lawrence Johnson.

Serving as a fifth-year coach in 2000 and training post-collegiately in 2000 and 2001, Johnson 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, 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 event. He also wishes to express sincere thanks to former UT head men's coach Bill Webb for allowing him the opportunity to share his love and knowledge of the pole vault and to current Director of Track & Field J.J. Clark for allowing him to continue that pursuit.

Johnson received his bachelor's and master's degrees in sports medicine from the University of Tennessee. He went on to earn a master's in 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.