Johnson begins his second season as the running back coach at Gannon in 2018 after capping his collegiate career with a solid senior campaign. He will also assume the role of the program's strength and conditioning coordinator this season. The former Gannon tailback rushed for a team-best 777 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2016, averaging five yards per carry. He also caught seven passes for 114 yards and a 16.3 average.
The North East, Pa., native recorded three 100-yard rushing performances as a senior, beginning with a career-high 155 yards during a 31-9 victory against Southern Connecticut State in the season opener at McConnell Family Stadium. Johnson added 140 yards and three scores against rival Mercyhurst, as well as 127 yards and two touchdowns against Clarion.
A four-year letterwinner, Johnson concluded his career with 1,339 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 15 receptions and 239 receiving yards. In all, he accumulated 1,590 all-purpose yards.
Johnson’s on-field talent translated to his coaching ability. Harlon Hill runner-up Marcus Jones took the country by storm last season and earned five all-america awards. He led all divisions of the NCAA in rushing yards per game (197.8) while topping NCAA Division II in rushing touchdowns (29), rushing yards per carry (8.09), total touchdowns (31), points per game (16.9) and total rushing yards. Jones was featured in the October 27 edition of Sports Illustrated as part of the national magazine's "Faces in the Crowd" for his monster season. He was also selected as one of the top NCAA football plays of the week by NCAA.com three times, including the No. 1 play twice.
Johnson graduated from Gannon in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in sport and exercise science.
Personal Data
Hometown: North East, Pa.
College Education: Gannon ‘17
