NASHVILLE, Tenn. - As pitching coach for Vanderbilt University's baseball team, Derek Johnson finds himself surrounded by superlatives.

Ranked first in every national poll, Vanderbilt begins play in the NCAA Tournament on Friday as the No. 1 overall seed with a sparkling 51-11 record. And the Commodores feature the projected No. 1 selection in the upcoming draft in pitcher David Price.

Johnson's role in Vanderbilt's dream season is undeniable. Yet head coach Tim Corbin offers a clear definition of the 1989 University High School graduate's contributions.

"DJ is as valuable as anybody on our team," Corbin said. "When I go into a season, pitching is the No. 1 priority and defense second. He's in charge of the biggest priority of our team. I really put a lot in his corner."

The 36-year-old Johnson has made the transition from pitcher at U High and Eastern Illinois to a widely acclaimed perch among the country's top collegiate pitching coaches.

"We feel like the things we've done have been good. Winning the SEC (Southeastern Conference) outright is a neat accomplishment," Johnson said. "At the same time, we're focused on other goals. Playing longer than this weekend and next is the ultimate goal.

"Being the No. 1 seed and the No. 1 team in a lot of polls has put a target on our back. We get everyone's best game, and we have, for sure. But for us, that's an external thing. We focus on trying to make our team better and practicing hard. If we do that, things will fall into place and the process will work."

Johnson has honed his coaching process through assistant jobs at Eastern Illinois (1994), Southern Illinois (1995-97) and Stetson (1998-2001) before arriving at Vanderbilt.

"The first thing is not considering yourself a pitcher. The first couple of years you spend a lot of time telling players how you used to do it," Johnson said. "I was a soft-throwing lefty, so if I'm coaching a soft-throwing lefty, it's easy. But a hard-throwing right-hander is a different animal.

"It's understanding how people work and understanding situations. It's a knowledge base that just continues. The day I stop learning is the day I don't want to do it any more."

Johnson's Vanderbilt pitching staff boasts a 3.56 team ERA.

"The thing I'm most pleased with is they have continued to grow through the season. We haven't had too many lulls or plateaus," Johnson said. "It's been nice, but I still feel like we can get better and need to."

The margin for Price to improve has to be minimal. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound left-hander is 11-0 with a 2.71 ERA. In 123 innings, he has allowed a mere 89 hits, struck out 175 and walked 29.

"He pitches for us every Friday against some of the best competition in the country and has held his own. He'll keep coming at you," Johnson said. "He's maintained consistency at a really hard job. He was a thrower when he got here. We've been teaching him command, and he's improved his breaking ball. He's learned how to pitch both sides of the plate."

Johnson was named National Pitching Coach of the Year in 2004 by Collegiate Baseball.

"He's as good as I've ever seen doing what he does, and I've been coaching 23 years," Corbin said. "He's loyal, he has a way about him, but he has an edge to him that the kids know there are boundaries. He's a very good teacher. The kids take such ownership in what they're doing because they see how much he enjoys it and enjoys teaching."

Although he might eventually seek a head coaching position, Johnson is content in Tennessee.

"I like what I do. I've been more than lucky. It's been a good ride," Johnson said. "I don't feel satisfied with where I am yet (as a pitching coach). My personality is more field-oriented. Head coaches have to do so many things off the field."

Johnson met wife, Tasha, during his time at Stetson, and the couple has a son, Teague, and a daughter, Taite.

Baseball will undoubtedly be a large part of the Johnson family's future.

"I haven't had one year without baseball since my first year of Little League," Johnson said. "I hope to keep that streak alive."