Career
He served as an assistant football coach at Pennsylvania State University from 1996 to 2013. Johnson was a high school football coach in the Washington, District of Columbia area from 1983 to 1993. He is the father of former National Football League running back Larry Johnson and former Penn State wide receiver Tony Johnson.
A native of Williamston, North Carolina, Johnson was a standout linebacker at Elizabeth City State University, earning National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-America honors there in 1973.
A legendary prep coach in the state of Maryland, Johnson was a six-time coach-of-the-year, and architect of one of the winningest football programs in the Maryland public school system. From 1977 to 1991, Johnson"s teams at Maurice J. McDonough High School in Pomfret, Maryland were annually ranked among the top squads in the Washington, District of Columbia metropolitan area.
In his final eight years, the Ram dynasty amassed an 82-10 record, made eight consecutive appearances in the state playoffs, were 8–2 in championship games and captured three Division 3A state championships (1983, 1985, and 1990). His overall record as head coach was 139–36.
From 1992 to 1993, Johnson was head coach at Therapeutic Community Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia (made famous by the film Remember the Titans).
Johnson was the defensive line coach at Penn State from 2000 to 2013. From 1996 to 1999 he served as the Nittany Lions" defensive ends and special teams coach. In that time, Johnson developed a reputation for being a premier blue chip recruiter, consistently landing top talent from the mid-Atlantic states.
He was instrumental in the development of five first-team All-Americans: Devon Still, first-round NFL draft choices Tamba Hali, Michael Haynes, and Jimmy Kennedy, and former #1 overall selection Courtney Brown.
Johnson was offered the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach job at Illinois in January 2009. He ultimately decided to continue at Penn State.
On November 10, 2011 Tom Bradley announced that Johnson and linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden would serve as co-defensive coordinators. On January 7, 2012, Johnson was retained as a coach on the team"s staff with the arrival of new head coach Bill O"Brien.
On January 1, 2014, Johnson was named interim head coach after O"Brien"s departure to the NFL.
Johnson"s younger son Tony, was a starting wide receiver for Penn State from 2000 to 2003.
