[Tuck4Bama]

It's said that assistant coaches make suggestions and head coaches make decisions.

Sometimes, though, experience as a decision-maker leads to better suggestions.

Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson has a pair of former head coaches on his staff — offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Ted Cain, who spent two seasons at Virginia Military Institute during the late 1990s; and receivers coach Charlie Fisher, who spent five seasons at West Georgia during the mid-'90s.

"They've been through it," Johnson said of the pair, who both worked with fellow Commodore offensive assistants Robbie Caldwell and Jimmy Kiser at North Carolina State, though not at the same time.

"We all sort of coach by committee," Johnson said. "We discuss everything. It's not a bunch of decisions I make without referring to the staff. I lean on them all the time, and not just (Cain and Fisher) — everybody."

Vandy staff all have say in decisions - Nashville, Tennessee - Friday, 09/21/07