Johnson To Coach Defensive Line at Louisville
January 24, 2003 | Football
Jan. 24, 2003
The final piece to the University of Louisville football staff is in place as head coach Bobby Petrino welcomed yet another familiar face back to the Derby City when he announced that former Cardinal standout and graduate assistant Reggie Johnson will join his staff as the defensive line coach.
"We are extremely excited to be able to welcome a terrific young coaching talent like Reggie Johnson back into the Cardinal family," said Petrino, who worked with his new defensive line coach at U of L in 1998. "Not only was Reggie a standout player who earned two degrees from U of L, but he also brings a tremendous amount of energy, excitement and expertise to the table."
A four-year letterwinner at linebacker for Louisville, Johnson helped lead the 1990 Cards to a 10-1-1 mark and a resounding 34-7 victory over Alabama in the Fiesta Bowl during his senior campaign. After earning his bachelor of arts degree in political science from U of L in May 1996, Johnson joined the Cardinal staff as a defensive graduate assistant from 1997-98 while earning a master of arts degree in athletic administration in June 1998.
Following his stint as a graduate assistant of U of L, Johnson moved onto Alabama A&M for a three-year tenure as an assistant coach. He coached the team's inside linebackers and served as special teams coordinator during the 2000 campaign after coaching the defensive tackles in 1998 and '99. Under Johnson's guidance, Alabama A&M ranked No. 1 nationally in rushing defense (39.7 ypg) and No. 10 nationally in total defense (275.0 ypg) during the 2000 season.
After his three-year run at Alabama A&M, Johnson spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach on Gary Nord's staff at UTEP. He coached the defensive ends in 2001 and the linebackers last season.
"Reggie's appointment at Louisville is well-deserved," said Nord. "He has put a lot of hard work and dedication into our program. We will miss him and we wish he and his family the best."
