Coach Johnson Released from VUMC Thursday; Doctors Expect Full Recovery 2/28/02

Following Neck Surgery Commodore Football Head Coach Bobby Johnson was released from Vanderbilt University Medical Center Thursday afternoon, one day after undergoing successful surgery to repair correct a herniated cervical disc.

The surgeon, Dr. Dan Spengler, chair of the VUMC Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, termed the two-hour operation a success and expects a full recovery for the head coach.

Johnson is hoping to direct the Commodores' first spring practice on Tuesday, March 12. He scheduled the operation knowing that the players - and all Vanderbilt students - would be on Spring Break next week.

Johnson had been troubled by the painful neck in recent months, with the pain intensifying in the last couple weeks. The operation repaired a herniated disc between the fifth and sixth vertebra of the spine.