Curtis Johnson begins his first season as the head coach of the Tulane Green Wave football team after he was tabbed the 39th head football coach in school history on Monday, December 5, 2011.
A New Orleans native and graduate of St. Charles High School, Johnson becomes the 39th head coach in school history. He brings over 25 years of coaching experience from both the collegiate and professional level to the Green Wave and has been a part of an NFL Championship with the New Orleans Saints and an NCAA National Championship with the University of Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes.
Johnson, 50, makes the short trip to the Tulane campus after spending the last five seasons (2006-2011) as the wide receivers coach for the New Orleans Saints. During his time with the Saints, he and his electrifying receiving corps helped the franchise to its first NFL title in 2009 and New Orleans has made playoff appearances in three of his five seasons.
"After conducting an extensive, thorough national search, we consistently gravitated to someone close to home that best fit our profile," Dickson said. "Curtis Johnson is a man of impeccable character and integrity. He has demonstrated a remarkable knack to evaluate, recruit and develop talented young men to their maximum capacity as both student-athletes and professionals at the highest level. He is a leader, motivator and effective teacher, who diligently strives for excellence. His relentless will to win makes him the right man for Tulane."
The Saints have been rewarded with outstanding results from his wide receiver group since his arrival in 2006. He came to New Orleans after forging a reputation for developing top-flight targets on the college level for over two decades, and his stature has only grown on the NFL level.
Over the last five and half seasons, Johnson has worked with both veteran and young wide receivers, with all benefiting from his guidance and high-energy teaching style. Among the players who have continued to improve under his watch through their own dedication and his tutelage are Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem and Lance Moore.
Johnson boasts a list of prominent pupils that very few coaches at any level can match. While specializing with wide receiver development, the group of standouts under his direction while at University of Miami (Fla.) and his prior stop at San Diego State includes some of the top wide receivers over the last decade, including NFL first-round picks Andre Johnson, Santana Moss, fellow New Orleans native Reggie Wayne and Yatil Green.
At Miami (Fla.), Johnson was part of a staff that went to nine bowl games and won the 2001 National Championship. He polished the skills of at least one All-Big East performer each season from 1996-2005, including Johnson - the third overall pick by Houston in 2003 - and Moss, who became the Hurricanes' all-time leader in receiving yardage before making the Pro Bowl for the Washington Redskins. Wayne departed ranked first in school history in catches is a five time Pro Bowl performer for the Indianapolis Colts.
In his five-year stint at San Diego State (1989-93) Johnson landed some of the school's biggest recruits, including 2000 NFL MVP and fellow New Orleans native Marshall Faulk, who was recently inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, as well as wide receiver Darnay Scott, who completed his eight-year NFL career with 408 grabs and 37 touchdowns. Each year Johnson was with the Aztecs, the school had an all-conference performer at wide receiver.
Johnson began his coaching career as a receivers coach at Lewiston (Idaho) High School in 1984, serving for three seasons before holding a similar position at the University of Idaho. He spent 1987 and 1988 at the school before becoming receivers coach at San Diego State. His next stop was at Southern Methodist in 1994 before becoming wide receivers coach in 1995 at the University of California-Berkeley.
Johnson attended the University of Idaho and received his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1985. He was a four-year starter for the Vandals and an All-Big Sky Conference selection.
Johnson and his wife, Angel, have six children, Janene, Kiejon, Curtis III, and Aaron, Angele and Justin. Curtis III is a junior receiver on the University of Memphis football team.
Personal Education: University of Idaho, 1985 Date of Birth: Nov. 5, 1961 Wife: Angel Sons: Curtis III, Aaron and Justin Daughters: Janene, Kiejon, Angele
Playing Experience
1980-83, University of Idaho, football letterman
Also lettered twice in track and field
Johnson's Coaching Experience
Years
Team, Position Coach
2006-11
New Orleans Saints, Wide Receivers
1996-2005
University of Miami, Wide Receivers
1995
University of California, Wide Receivers
1994
SMU, Wide Receivers
1989-93
San Diego State University, Wide Receivers
1987-88
University of Idaho, Wide Receivers
1984-86
Lewiston (Idaho) High School, Wide Receivers
Johnson's Bowl Experience
Year
Bowl
Team
2005
Peach Bowl
University of Miami
2004
Peach Bowl
University of Miami
2004
Orange Bowl
University of Miami
2003
Feista Bowl
University of Miami
2002
Rose Bowl/National Championship
University of Miami
2001
Sugar Bowl
University of Miami
2000
Gator Bowl
University of Miami
1998
MicronPC Bowl
University of Miami
1996
Carquest Bowl
University of Miami
1991
Freedom Bowl
San Diego State University
Johnson's NFL Postseason Experience
Year
Team
Result
2006
New Orleans Saints
NFC South Champions/NFC Championship Game Participant
2009
New Orleans Saints
NFC South Champions/NFC Champions/Super Bowl XLIV Champions
SCHEDULE
ROSTER
NEWS
