He coached standouts Jay Cutler and Earl Bennett, both of whom were voted All-SEC during their time in Nashville.
Cain started his career in 1977 at Furman and remained there until the 1986 season, where he took over as NC State's offensive coordinator and tight ends coach.
He served as offensive coordinator until the 1997 season, when he was hired as the head football coach at Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
Cain joined Johnson for the 2002 season at Vanderbilt as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach.
The following year though, on February 11, 2010, after the conclusion of the 2009 football season, and possibly Cain's worst offense, Johnson announced Cain was relieved of his offensive coordinator duties and was reassigned as tight ends and special teams coach.