Jeremiah Johnson - Safeties/Defensive Coordinator - Football Coaches

Jeremiah Johnson

Title:
Safeties/Defensive Coordinator
Email:
jeremiah.l.johnson@uni.edu

Jeremiah Johnson will begin his 11th season at UNI, serving as defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

Johnson was an integral part of UNI’s defensive unit finishing ranked in the top-15 in the country in eight different statistical categories in three consecutive seasons, including a top-10 total defense rank to end 2016. He has sent multiple defensive players to the NFL, including fourth round pick to the Chicago Bears, Deiondre' Hall.

Johnson directed the defensive unit that led the league and was No. 9 in the country in total defense in 2016. He coached five athletes to earn MVFC All-Conference selections, including Karter Schult, who earned MVFC Defensive Player of the Year. Schult went on to be named a consensus All-American, earning the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the absolute best defensive player in FCS football. He was also at the head of a defense that saw a brand new secondary finish No. 5 in the FCS in defensive touchdowns and No. 12 in passes intercepted.

During the 2015 season, the Panthers finished the second ranked No. 13 in passes intercepted, No. 9 in red zone defense, No. 18 in rushing defense and No. 19 in scoring defense on the way to being one of the most powerful defenses in FCS football. He coached linebacker Brett McMakin to All-America status in 2015 and had McMakin and Jared Farley represented on the All-MVFC squads.

In 2014, he saw two linebackers, Jake Farley and McMakin, earn All-MVFC honors. Farley finished the season leading the Valley in tackles while McMakin ended his season ranked 34th in the country in total sacks.

The 2013 season for the Panthers saw a young defensive core shine while making big plays for the team. Johnson coached the defense to finishing in the top-30 in the FCS in four defensive statistical categories, including being ranked 19th in the country in total defense. Johnson also saw senior linebacker Jordan Gacke finish with All-MVFC honors.

Johnson served as the defensive backs coach during the 2012 season, seeing seniors Varmah Sonie, Garrett Scott and Wilmot Wellington shine for the Panthers. Wellington led the Panthers in tackles with 85. Johnson led Sonie and Scott to 131 combined tackles, with Sonie earning All-MVFC second team and Scott earning honorable mention status.

His previous three seasons at UNI, Johnson served as recruiting coordinator and assistant defensive backs coach. He also split duties as a secondary coach and video coordinator in 2007 and 2008. As an assistant on the defensive side of the ball, UNI’s defense finished ranked in the top-25 in total defense in 2007 and 2008 under his direction, also finishing tied for third in the FCS in passes intercepted in 2008.

Johnson, a native of Lawrence, Kan., spent the 2003-2006 seasons at Loras College on the Duhawk coaching staff. Johnson assisted with the defensive backs in 2006 after helping with the wide receivers in 2005. Johnson’s first two years at Loras were spent coaching the defensive backs.

Prior to his work at Loras, Johnson was a graduate assistant/video coordinator at the University of Wyoming in 2002.

A 2000 graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in sports science, Johnson completed his master’s degree in athletic administration at Loras in 2005.

Johnson and his wife, Nicki, reside in Cedar Falls with their son, Lane (8) and daughter, Drew (5).