Coaches

Entering his 8th season with the Vikings’ coaching staff in 2013, Johnson brings a blend of NFL expertise as both a player and as a coach which has proved to be a valuable asset. During his decade in the NFL as a player, Johnson was committed to the art of blocking, helping pave the way for 1,000-yard rushers in 8 of his 10 seasons.

The Vikings TE corps is highlighted by Kyle Rudolph, who led the team with 9 TDs in 2012 and has amassed 12 in his opening 2 seasons. Rudolph, veteran John Carlson and rookie Rhett Ellison helped provide the edge blocking that paved the way for Adrian Peterson to earn NFL MVP honors with 2,097 yards on the ground and the team to match the club record with 2,634 team rushing yards. Ellison started 7 games and showed his versatility, playing out of the backfield and at TE.

In 2012, the Vikings passing game relied heavily on Rudolph, who ranked tied for 2nd in the NFL among TEs with 9 TD catches, the 2nd-best performance in a season by a Vikings TE in team history. Rudolph ended the season garnering Pro Bowl MVP honors after a standout day in the All Star game. Rudolph tied a Vikings TE record by snaring 2 TD passes vs. San Francisco (9/23).

The Vikings TEs hauled in 13 TD passes in 2009, just 6 fewer TD passes than the Vikings WRs combined for during the season. The unit played a big part in blocking for Adrian Peterson as he ran for 1,383 yards and set a new Vikings record with 18 rushing TDs.

In 2008, Johnson saw Shiancoe develop as a top-tier NFL TE. Shiancoe led the NFC and tied for 3rd among TEs in the NFL with 7 TD receptions. The 7 scores came up just 1 shy of the Vikings single-season record for TEs held by Joe Senser (8 in 1981).

In 2007, Kleinsasser and Shiancoe assisted the Vikings record-setting rushing attack and contributed in the passing game.

In 2006, Johnson’s TE corps helped newly-acquired Taylor run for 1,214 yards in his 1st season as a full-time starter and TE  Jermaine Wiggins tied for 2nd on the team with 46 receptions.

During his 10 NFL seasons as a tight end, Johnson spent time with Washington, Detroit, Kansas City and Philadelphia. Originally selected in the 12th round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, he was a long-shot rookie who not only made the final squad, but also went on to play in all 16 games that year. While with the Redskins, Johnson played under the legendary Joe Gibbs and was part of teams that went 34-14 in regular season action and 4-1 in the playoffs. He was a member of the 1991 Redskins team that reached the pinnacle of the NFL, winning Super Bowl XXVI over Buffalo in the stadium he now calls home – the Metrodome. His best season statistically was 1990, when he caught 15 passes for 218 yards and a pair of TDs. That year he averaged 14.5 yards per catch, which trailed only Gary Clark’s team-leading 14.8 average, and caught his 1st NFL TD on a 4-yard pass from Stan Humphries in a 41-38 OT win at Detroit (11/4/90). In 1991, Johnson caught 3 passes in the opening 6 games, including 2 for TDs from Mark Rypien in the 1st and 2nd games of the year vs. Detroit (9/1/91) and at Dallas (10/6/91) on Monday Night Football. A neck injury suffered at Chicago (10/6/91), however, placed Johnson on injured reserve for the rest of the Redskins championship season.

Following his 3 seasons with Washington, Johnson joined the Lions in 1992 as a Plan B free agent and went on to start 10 of the 22 games he played from 1992-93 under head coach Wayne Fontes. After his release by Detroit in November 1993, Johnson joined Kansas City and head coach Marty Schottenheimer for the 1994 season. That year the Chiefs played against the Vikings in the preseason game held in Tokyo and went on to ride Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Marcus Allen to a 9-7 record and a berth in the playoffs. Johnson played in 7 games and started 1 that season.

In 1995, Johnson moved on to Philadelphia where he enjoyed his most productive seasons as part of the 2-TE power running game employed by the Eagles. Johnson blocked for Ricky Watters as he earned Pro Bowl berths in 1995 and ’96 while breaking the 1,000-yard mark each season from 1995-97. In 1996, Watters set the Eagles team record for attempts with 353, the 2nd-most yards in team history with 1,411, and the 2nd-most rushing TDs with 13. The Eagles took NFC east runner-up honors in 1995 and ’96 while advancing to the playoffs both seasons under Ray Rhodes. During that time, Johnson started 18 of the 51 games he played and had a career best 18.1-yard receiving average in 1996, when he caught 7 passes for 127 yards. His final NFL TD came from QB Bobby Hoying vs. Cincinnati (11/30/97).

As a player, Johnson was durable, seeing action in all 16 games in 6 of his 10 seasons. He finished his career with 61 catches for 723 yards and 5 TDs while playing in 5 postseason games. He also blocked for 1,000 yards rushers in 8 of his 10 NFL seasons, helping Earnest Byner break the 1,000-yard mark and earn Pro Bowl honors in 1990 and 1991. Barry Sanders repeated the feats in Detroit in 1992 and ’93, and in Philadelphia, Johnson helped Watters get over the 1,000-yard plateau in 1995, ’96 and ’97. Johnson finished his career clearing the way for Deuce Staley in 1998, who gained 1,000+ yards in only his 2nd NFL season.

After his playing days were over, Johnson entered coaching, beginning his career as the running backs coach at South Carolina State in 2001. He was offensive coordinator at Shaw University in 2002 before becoming offensive coordinator/QBs coach at Texas Southern in 2004-05.

Johnson attended Howard, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in consumer studies. As a senior he was an All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference choice after hauling in 31 receptions for 546 yards and 9 TDs. For his college career, Johnson finished with 16 TDs and 1,229 receiving yards on 73 catches.

A native of Augusta, GA, Johnson attended T.W. Josey High School. He and his family reside in Shakopee.