Larry Johnson (coach)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Larry Johnson | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Title | "Assistant Coach, Defensive Line" | |
| College | Penn State | |
| Conference | Big Ten | |
| Place of birth |  Williamston, North Carolina |
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| Career highlights | ||
| Playing career | ||
| 1970-1973 | Elizabeth City State University | |
| Position | LB | |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | ||
| 1996-1999 2000-present |
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.
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[edit] 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.[1]
[edit] 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).
[edit] Career as a player
Johnson was a standout linebacker at Elizabeth City State University,[2] earning NAIA All-America honors there in 1973. After graduation, he played one season in the NFL with the Washington Redskins.[1]
[edit] Personal
Johnson maintains a very close relationship with his son Larry, who has repeatedly referred to his father as his "best friend" in interviews. Johnson's younger son Tony, was a starting wide receiver for Penn State from 2000-2003.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Profile: Larry Johnson", Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics website
- ^ Coaching Database - Larry Johnson, rivals.com
[edit] External links
- Passion still runs high for PSU's Johnson, The Morning Call, February 23, 2008
