NFL Network Highlights Coaching Path Of Former Utah QB
Oct 29, 2022, 3:35 PM
Quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to Jalen Hurts #1 prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – NFL Network broke down the coaching career of former Utah Utes quarterback and current Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson.
During a recent NFL Network segment, league insider Tom Pelissero detail the coaching path of Johnson from his time at the University of Utah to his current stop in professional football.
The segment was shared by Troy Vincent, Sr. the executive vice president of NFL Football Operations.
“@Eagles QB coach Brian Johnson’s has had an inspiring career in football. He was a top college QB at Utah and became the first African-American OC at @UF before heading to the @NFL,” Vincent tweeted. “Find out more about the man behind @JalenHurts this season.”
“The beauty of coaching is that if it was one way to do it, everyone would do it that way,” Johnson said during the piece.
.@Eagles QB coach Brian Johnson’s has had an inspiring career in football. He was a top college QB at Utah and became the first African-American OC at @UF before heading to the @NFL.
Find out more about the man behind @JalenHurts this season 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/N6lPTjEW8o
— Troy Vincent, Sr. (@TroyVincentSr) October 26, 2022
“Developing your players to play to the best of their ability,” Johnson answered when asked what coaching was to him.
About Brian Johnson
Prior to his coaching career, the Barrett Station, Texas native was a standout player for the Utes. Johnson played at Utah from 2004-08.
During his four seasons in Salt Lake City, the former quarterback threw for 7,853 yards, 57 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions with a 66.2 percent completion rate.
#OTD in @Utah_Football history: 12 years ago, No. 10 Utah beat No. 11 TCU, 13-10.
Brian Johnson threw the GW TD pass to Freddie Brown in the final seconds.
This is one of Utah’s biggest wins in school history. #GoUtes #KSLSportsArchive pic.twitter.com/aGLdSOnpXn
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 6, 2020
Johnson had a program-best 26-7 record as Utah’s starting quarterback. His career was highlighted by a special undefeated senior season that was capped with a Sugar Bowl victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide.
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Following his playing career, Johnson returned to Utah in 2010 as the Utes’ quarterbacks coach. In 2012, Kyle Whittingham promoted Johnson to offensive coordinator.
Two years later, Johnson was hired as Mississippi State’s quarterbacks coach. He was with the Bulldogs through the 2016 season. In 2017, the former Ute spent one season as Houston’s offensive coordinator and QBs coach before taking a coach with Florida. Former Mississippi State and Florida head coach Dan Mullen hired Johnson as his quarterbacks coach for the second time, this time with the Gators.
After two seasons, Mullen promoted Johnson to Florida’s offensive coordinator. Johnson held that position for one season. IN 2021, the former Utah star jumped to the NFL. First-year Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni hired Johnson as Philadelphia’s quarterbacks coach.
“I was really excited. This is obviously the highest level of football,” Johnson said of Sirianni asking him to join his staff. “To get a chance to be around great players and a great staff.”
During his two seasons in the NFL, Johnson has coached former Alabama and Oklahoma star Jalen Hurts. Johnson told Pelissero that he’s known Hurts since the Eagles QB was about four years old.
This season under Johnson’s coaching, Hurts has thrown for 1,514 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions with a 66.8 completion percentage. He’s also run for 293 yards and six touchdowns. The Eagles are currently the NFL’s only undefeated team with a 6-0 record.
Jalen Hurts is the NFC Offensive Player of the Month, and @PSchrags says the @Eagles' QB Coach deserves a lot of credit 🦅
"Former @Utah_Football QB Brian Johnson is going to be an NFL head coach some day." pic.twitter.com/KYfBaijALe
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) September 29, 2022
“Brian’s been very important to me,” Hurts said during a press conference clip that was featured during NFL Network’s segment.
Philadelphia’s next game is at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 30 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on CBS.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
