Nico Johnson is branching out in his coaching career.
A University of Alabama alumnus, Johnson was hired on Friday to be the defensive ends coach for the University of Nevada football program in the Mountain West Conference. Johnson spent the last two years (2022-23) under Steve Sarkisian’s coaching staff at the University of Texas as a graduate assistant with defensive linemen. He assisted the Longhorns to a Big 12 Championship last season and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Johnson also aided the ‘Horns to a win over Alabama.
𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑴𝑷𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑷 𝑷𝑬𝑫𝑰𝑮𝑹𝑬𝑬 𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑫𝑮𝑬
3️⃣x National Champion @JOHNSON35BOY joins the Launch 🚀 as Wolf Pack Defensive Ends coach!
🔗 https://t.co/RooZvKOg2H#Launch | #RenoVation24 pic.twitter.com/RDr1lbzwYY
— Nevada Football (@NevadaFootball) February 23, 2024
The 33-year-old was a three-time BCS National Champion under Nick Saban as a linebacker for the Tide.
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He played from 2009 to 2012, earning two Southeastern Conference Championships.
Johnson, a native of Andalusia, Ala., played for four teams in the National Football League — Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, and New York Giants — during his short career in the pros. He is a very bright defensive mind, and it will be exciting to see what we does with Nevada’s defensive ends.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
