Curtis Johnson (American football coach)

Curtis Johnson, Jr. (November 5, 1961) is an American college football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Tulane University, a position he assumed in December 2011 after six seasons coaching wide receivers for the New Orleans Saints.

Assisting coaching career
After graduating from the University of Idaho, Johnson first became a wide receivers coach at Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Idaho before taking his first college assistant job for Idaho in 1987. In the series of assistant jobs that followed, Johnson developed a reputation as an outstanding recruiter as well as position coach. At San Diego State, he recruited future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk (like him, a native New Orleanian), as well as wide receiver Darnay Scott. After San Diego State, Johnson spent single seasons at Southern Methodist University, and at the University of California (where he coached future All-American Bobby Shaw, among others), before taking a position at Miami in 1996.

Miami
Johnson spent the next decade at Miami. As part of a staff that went to nine bowl games and won the 2001 National Championship, Johnson coached Andre Johnson, Santana Moss, and Reggie Wayne. He was also credited with recruiting standout safety Ed Reed, another native New Orleanian.

New Orleans Saints
Johnson was a member of Sean Payton's original Saints coaching staff. In his time there, he coached wide receivers Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, and Lance Moore, among others. From 2006-11, his wideouts combined for 108 touchdown grabs and 35 performances with over 100 yards receiving. He was part of the coaching staff for the team that won Super Bowl XLIV in the 2009 season.

Tulane
On December 5, 2011, Johnson was named the new head coach of the Tulane Green Wave football team, replacing outgoing coach Bob Toledo. Johnson finished the NFL season with the Saints while simultaneously taking over the program at Tulane.

Personal life
A New Orleans native, Johnson attended St. Charles High School. He was honored by his high school's community with an exhibit hosted by the St. Charles Museum and Historical Association and the River Road Historical Society in 2010. After high school, at the University of Idaho, Johnson played college football, ran track and field, and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education. He and his wife Angel live in Harvey and have six children. Johnson is a deacon at his church, and has travelled to schools and camps promoting academic success, hard work and faith.

One of his sons, Curtis "Trey" Johnson III is a 2011 wide receiver for the University of Memphis.