Vannette William Johnson (May 27, 1930 – May 12, 2022) was an American football and track coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff—known as Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal College prior to 1972—for 11 seasons, from 1962 to 1972, and compiled a record of 53–46–6.

Vannette W. Johnson
Biographical details
Born(1930-05-27)May 27, 1930
Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedMay 12, 2022(2022-05-12) (aged 91)
Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
Playing career
Football
c. 1950Arkansas AM&N
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1952–1956Merrill HS (AR) (assistant)
1957–1961Arkansas AM&N (backfield)
1962–1972Arkansas AM&N / Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Track
1957–1962Arkansas AM&N
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1962–?Arkansas AM&N
Head coaching record
Overall53–46–6 (football)

Johnson played football at Dunbar High School in Little Rock, Arkansas and graduated in 1948. He then played college football as a quarterback at Arkansas AM&N before he graduated in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in history and government. He also earned a master's degree in physical education from the University of Arkansas in 1961. Johnson began his coaching career as an assistant at Merrill High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1952. He returned to Arkansas AM&N in 1957 as backfield coach for the football team and head track coach. In 1962 he was appointed as the school's head football coach and athletic director.[1]

Johnson died in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on May 12, 2022, at the age of 91.[2]

Head coaching record

edit

Football

edit
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Arkansas AM&N Golden Lions (Southwest Athletic Conference) (1962–1969)
1962 Arkansas AM&N 4–5–1 2–4–1 6th
1963 Arkansas AM&N 5–4–1 3–3–1 T–4th
1964 Arkansas AM&N 5–5 3–4 T–4th
1965 Arkansas AM&N 4–5–1 3–3–1 T–4th
1966 Arkansas AM&N 4–5–1 2–4–1 7th
1967 Arkansas AM&N 6–4 3–4 T–5th
1968 Arkansas AM&N 5–5 4–3 4th
1969 Arkansas AM&N 3–6–1 2–4–1 6th
Arkansas AM&N / Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions (NCAA College Division independent) (1970–1972)
1970 Arkansas AM&N 6–3
1971 Arkansas AM&N 7–2
1972 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 4–2–1
Arkansas AM&N / Arkansas–Pine Bluff: 53–46–6 22–29–5
Total: 53–46–6

References

edit
  1. ^ Morehead, Robert F. (June 29, 1962). "Vanette Johnson Named Head Football Coach at Ark. AM&N". Alabama Tribune. Montgomery, Alabama. p. 7. Retrieved May 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com  .
  2. ^ Rico, Mark (May 19, 2022). "Former UAPB coach, JP dies at 91". Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved September 19, 2023.