Reggie Johnson comes to The Hill after two season as the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Alabama A&M. He previously spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach at UAB.
At UAB, Johnson mentored linebacker Marvin Burdette to All-Conference USA honors in 2012 as he set UAB single-season and career records for tackles with 157 and 406, respectively. Prior to his move to Birmingham, Johnson spent four seasons at Arkansas (2008-11) where he also coached the linebackers.
During his time in Fayetteville, Razorback linebacker Jerry Franklin was named a Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team in 2008 before going on to lead the team in tackles for four consecutive seasons, a feat not accomplished at Arkansas since 1960. As a senior, Franklin ranked sixth in the SEC with a career-best 101 tackles, the most by an Arkansas player since 2007.
Johnson, a Chicago, Ill., native, spent five seasons at his alma mater, the University of Louisville, coaching the defensive line in 2003 and linebackers from 2004-07. In 2003, the Louisville defensive front included All-American Elvis Dumervil, who also won the Nagurski and Hendricks award as well as then-freshman Amobi Okoye, who would go on to become the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the youngest player to ever be drafted by an NFL team at 19 years old.
Johnson was a four-year letterman at the University of Louisville from 1987-90. His senior year, he helped the Cardinals finish 10-1-1 with a 34-7 victory over Alabama in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl. He ended his career with 252 tackles.
Johnson began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at UL in 1998. His first full-time coaching position was his first stint at Alabama A&M where he coached defensive tackles in 1998 and 1999. In 2000, he coached inside linebackers. A&M ranked first in the country in rushing defense (39.7) and 10th in total defense (275 ypg.) for the 2000 season. After the 2000 season, Johnson moved to UTEP where he coached defensive ends in 2001 and linebackers in 2002.
He earned his bachelor's degree in political science and his master's degree in education from Louisville.
Johnson and his wife, Eulice, have two children, Sydney and Jordan.
THE REGGIE JOHNSON FILE
PERSONAL
Born: April 14, 1969 (46 years old)
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
College: Louisville, `96
Wife: Eulice
Children: Sydney, Jordan
PLAYING CAREER (Linebacker)
High School: Morgan Park HS (Chicago, Ill.)
College: Louisville (1987-90)
COACHING CAREER
1997: Louisville (Defensive Graduate Assistant)
1998: Alabama A&M (Defensive Tackles)
1999-2000: Alabama A&M (Inside Linebackers/Special Teams)
2001: UTEP (Defensive Ends)
2002: UTEP (Linebackers)
2003: Louisville (Defensive Line)
2004-07: Louisville (Linebackers)
2008-11: Arkansas (Linebackers)
2012-13: UAB (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2014-15: Alabama A&M (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line)
