UCF expected to hire Will Johnson as new defensive backs coach
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UCF is expected to hire Will Johnson as its next defensive backs coach, according to a team source.
Johnson would take over from Brandon Harris, who departed for a similar role in Florida.
A Baltimore native, Johnson began his football career as a defensive back at Oklahoma from 2015 to 2017, where he played under the renowned coach Bob Stoops. During his time there, he played in 29 games, recording 120 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 8 passes defended, before moving on to the NFL, spending time in training camps with both the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2020, Johnson joined Lincoln Riley’s coaching staff at Oklahoma as a graduate assistant, where he worked closely with UCF defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who was then the Sooners’ defensive coordinator.
When Riley and Grinch left for USC, Johnson followed suit and served as a graduate assistant from 2022 to 2023. He then moved to North Dakota State as the cornerbacks coach in 2024, where he played a key role in guiding the Bisons to a national championship in his first season.
The Knights wrapped up their first season since coach Scott Frost’s return, finishing with a 5-7 record. The team ranked in the top 25 in pass defense last season, allowing just 185 yards per game in 2024.
Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
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