NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Bobby Johnson was hired as Vanderbilt's football coach Sunday after coaching Furman for the last eight years, including a spot in this season's Division I-AA title game.

He signed a five-year contract and replaces Woody Widenhofer, who had resigned after five years with the Commodores.

Johnson inherits the worst football program in the Southeastern Conference. The Commodores have won only four SEC games in five years and just finished their 19th consecutive losing season, going 2-9 and winless in league play.

Under Johnson, the Paladins ranked No. 1 in the Southern Conference for rushing defense and pass efficiency this season and second in total offense.

"I'm the seventh chancellor at Vanderbilt," chancellor Gordon Gee said Sunday. "Bobby Johnson is the 25th head football coach. That shows a lack of commitment to attract and retain. This is the end of that revolving door."

About 75 fans and a handful of Commodores attended the announcement. Hundreds of gold-and-black balloons dropped from the ceiling as athletic director Todd Turner handed Johnson a Vanderbilt jersey and gold whistle.

"I wanted someone to come in with discipline, that's something we lack," defensive lineman Brett Beard said. "It looks like we've found the guy."

Johnson had a record of 60-36 the past eight seasons as coach of Furman. The Paladins lost 13-6 to Montana on Friday night in the I-AA championship game.

"I would have liked to have done this sooner, but you just kept winning games," Turner said.

Johnson won his second conference title with the Paladins this season. He had six winning seasons and two league titles as Furman's coach and helped win 10 Southern titles during three different stints at the school over 24 years.

Vanderbilt looked at four or five coaches. Stanford's Tyrone Willingham and Colorado's Gary Barnett declined, and Turner moved to Johnson.

Others considered to be candidates included South Carolina defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and Florida assistant offensive coordinator Buddy Teevens.

Johnson will get to coach against his former team Sept. 7 when Vanderbilt opens at home against Furman.

"It's definitely going to be strange," he said. "I invested a lot of years in that program. I feel close to all the players."