Don Johnson faced one of the tougher seasons of his NFL career in 2011, yet he led a unit that generated 11.5 sacks, laid 33 hits on opposing quarterbacks and allowed just eight rushing touchdowns. Veteran Antonio Garay led the way with 67 tackles and 14 quarterback hits, while second-year player Cam Thomas emerged to lead the line with four sacks.
In 2010, Johnson helped coach the Chargers a No. 1 overall ranking in total defense as the Bolts ranked second in the league in sacks and fourth in run defense. Garay enjoyed a breakout season in ’10, earning Pro Bowl alternate recognition after setting career-highs and leading the Chargers’ defensive line in tackles, sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits.
Johnson came to San Diego via Chicago, where he helped lead the Bears to the 2006 NFC title a berth in Super Bowl XLI. His marquee player in Chicago was two-time Pro Bowl tackle Tommie Harris.
Johnson began his quest to become an NFL coach when he participated in the NFL’s Minority Internship Coaching Program with the San Francisco 49ers in 1997 & ’98.
A native of Newark, New Jersey, Johnson played linebacker at Butler Community College and Jersey City State in the mid-1970s. He landed a free agent tryout with the New York Jets and played for the USFL’s New Jersey Generals.
Johnson has spent 26 years as a high school and college basketball official, including eight at the NCAA Division I level. He was the president of the Orange County (Calif.) Basketball Officials Association for four years and the California Basketball Officials Association for two.
Johnson and his wife, Deborah, have two daughters, Denise and Leanna, and one son, Don, Jr. Son, Duane, died in an automobile accident in 2002.
Don Johnson’s Coaching Experience
1976-82 — Assistant Coach, Santa Ana Valley High School
1984-85 — Linebackers, Jersey City State
1986 — Assistant Coach, Santa Ana Valley High School
1987-90 — Off. Line and Off. Coordinator, Riverside CC
1991-92 — Offensive Line, Cal State Fullerton
1993-94 — Off. Line and Off. Coordinator, Riverside CC
1995-99 — Def. Ends and Special Teams, University of Nevada
2000 — Interior Defensive Line, UCLA
2001-04 — Defensive Line and Recruiting Coordinator, UCLA
2005-06 — Defensive Line, Chicago Bears
2007-08 — Defensive Tackles, Oakland Raiders
2009-12 — Defensive Line, San Diego Chargers
Don Johnson faced one of the tougher seasons of his NFL career in 2011, yet he led a unit that generated 11.5 sacks, laid 33 hits on opposing quarterbacks and allowed just eight rushing touchdowns. Veteran Antonio Garay led the way with 67 tackles and 14 quarterback hits, while second-year player Cam Thomas emerged to lead the line with four sacks.
In 2010, Johnson helped coach the Chargers a No. 1 overall ranking in total defense as the Bolts ranked second in the league in sacks and fourth in run defense. Garay enjoyed a breakout season in ’10, earning Pro Bowl alternate recognition after setting career-highs and leading the Chargers’ defensive line in tackles, sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits.
Johnson came to San Diego via Chicago, where he helped lead the Bears to the 2006 NFC title a berth in Super Bowl XLI. His marquee player in Chicago was two-time Pro Bowl tackle Tommie Harris.
Johnson began his quest to become an NFL coach when he participated in the NFL’s Minority Internship Coaching Program with the San Francisco 49ers in 1997 & ’98.
A native of Newark, New Jersey, Johnson played linebacker at Butler Community College and Jersey City State in the mid-1970s. He landed a free agent tryout with the New York Jets and played for the USFL’s New Jersey Generals.
Johnson has spent 26 years as a high school and college basketball official, including eight at the NCAA Division I level. He was the president of the Orange County (Calif.) Basketball Officials Association for four years and the California Basketball Officials Association for two.
Johnson and his wife, Deborah, have two daughters, Denise and Leanna, and one son, Don, Jr. Son, Duane, died in an automobile accident in 2002.
Don Johnson’s Coaching Experience
1976-82 — Assistant Coach, Santa Ana Valley High School
1984-85 — Linebackers, Jersey City State
1986 — Assistant Coach, Santa Ana Valley High School
1987-90 — Off. Line and Off. Coordinator, Riverside CC
1991-92 — Offensive Line, Cal State Fullerton
1993-94 — Off. Line and Off. Coordinator, Riverside CC
1995-99 — Def. Ends and Special Teams, University of Nevada
2000 — Interior Defensive Line, UCLA
2001-04 — Defensive Line and Recruiting Coordinator, UCLA
2005-06 — Defensive Line, Chicago Bears
2007-08 — Defensive Tackles, Oakland Raiders
2009-12 — Defensive Line, San Diego Chargers
