The Washington Commanders announced today they have named Brian Johnson as the team's assistant head coach/offensive pass game coordinator.
Johnson joins the Commanders after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
In 2023, the Eagles offense ranked eighth in the league in total offense (354.4 total yards per game), third in third down offense (48 percent) and first in fourth down offense (73.08 percent).
Prior to his promotion, Johnson served as the quarterbacks coach for the Eagles for two seasons (2021-22). He worked closely with quarterback Jalen Hurts. In 2022, Hurts finished second in Associated Press NFL MVP voting and earned his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. He threw for 3,701 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. Hurts also ran for 760 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, the most by a quarterback that season. Under Johnson's guidance, Hurts became the youngest quarterback in Eagles history to lead his team to the playoffs during the 2021 season.
Prior to joining the Eagles, Johnson was at the University of Florida serving as quarterbacks coach from 2018-19 and was promoted to offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2020. During his time with the Gators, he mentored three All-American selections – quarterback Kyle Trask, tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Kadarius Toney. The Gators offense also ranked first in the FBS in passing yards per game (378.6) in 2020.
In 2017, Johnson was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Houston.
From 2014-16, Johnson worked as the quarterbacks coach at Mississippi State. He mentored quarterback Dak Prescott as Prescott became one of the best quarterbacks in SEC history. Prescott became one of two quarterbacks in SEC history to throw for 8,500 yards and rush for 2,000 yards. In 2015, Prescott was named a finalist for the Manning and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards after setting school records in completions (316), completion percentage (66.2), passing yards (3,793) and efficiency rating (151.7).
Johnson began his coaching career at his alma mater, Utah, as the quarterbacks coach and was promoted to offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach after two seasons. In 2012, he became the youngest FBS offensive coordinator in the nation at 24 years old.
As a player at Utah, Johnson was a three-year starter and two-time bowl MVP and finished with the most wins (26) in school history, including an undefeated 13-0 season in 2008. He threw for 7,853 yards and 57 touchdowns and ran for 848 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Johnson was featured on the cover of EA Sports' 2010 NCAA Football video game.
A native of Baytown TX., Johnson and his wife Ashley have three children, Rossi, Harlow and Pierce.
