Larry Johnson (coach)

College coach infobox


Name = Larry Johnson
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Title = "Assistant Coach, Defensive Line"
College = Penn State
Conference = Big Ten
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Birthplace = Williamston, North Carolina
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Years = 1970-1973
Team = Elizabeth City State University
Position = LB
Coach = Trigger
CoachYears = 1996-1999
2000-"present"
CoachTeams = Penn State (DE/Special Teams)
Penn State (Defensive line)
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Larry Johnson (born Williamston, North Carolina) is an American football coach, currently serving as defensive line coach at Penn State University. He is the father of Kansas City Chiefs 2x All-Pro running back Larry Johnson and former Penn State wide receiver Tony Johnson.

Collegiate coaching career

Johnson has been the defensive line coach at Penn State since 2000. From 1996-1999 he served as the Nittany Lions' defensive ends and special teams coach. In that time, Johnson has become a national power in recruiting, consistently landing top talent from the mid-Atlantic states.

He has been instrumental in the development of four first-team All-Americans: first-round NFL draft choices Tamba Hali, Michael Haynes, and Jimmy Kennedy, and former #1 overall selection Courtney Brown. [http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/johnson_larry00.html "Profile: Larry Johnson"] , Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics website]

High school coaching

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 1983-91, Johnson's teams at Maurice J. McDonough High School in Pomfret, Maryland were ranked among the top squads in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. In his final eight years, his teams 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 1992-93, Johnson was head coach at T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia (made famous by the film "Remember the Titans").

Career as a player

Johnson was a standout linebacker at Elizabeth City State University, [http://www.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=153 Coaching Database - Larry Johnson] , rivals.com] earning NAIA All-America honors there in 1973. After graduation, he played one season in the NFL with the Washington Redskins.

Personal

Johnson maintains a very close relationship with his son Larry, who has repeatedly referred to his father as his "best friend" and "the only person in the world he completely trusts" in interviews. Johnson's younger son Tony, was a starting wide receiver for Penn State from 2000-2003.

References

External links

* [http://www.mcall.com/sports/college/all-johnson.6285189feb23,0,4433549.story Passion still runs high for PSU's Johnson] , "The Morning Call", February 23, 2008