Quick Facts
Biography
Taver Johnson (born July 8, 1972) is the defensive coordinator at Temple University. He attended and played football at Wittenberg University (1990-93), where he was a back-to-back All-American and the All-North Coast Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993.
Coaching career
Early coaching stops
After graduating from Wittenberg, Johnson joined his alma mater's staff and served as the defensive line coach for the 1994 and 1995 seasons. After living Wittenberg, Johnson joined the staff at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. During his three years at Millikin, Johnson served as the strength and conditioning coach (1996), the linebackers coach (1997) and the defensive coordinator (1998). During his one season as defensive coordinator, Johnson's Millikin team allowed just 14.1 points per game.
Johnson served as a graduate assistant for Bob Davie's Notre Dame team.
Miami (Ohio)
In 2000, Johnson left Notre Dame to serve as the linebackers coach at Miami (Ohio). Johnson spent three years at the school and produced four first-team All-Mid-American Conference selections.
Cleveland Browns
After three seasons with the Redhawks, Johnson went to the professional ranks to serve as the special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns.
Miami (Ohio)
Johnson would return to Miami to serve as the program's defensive coordinator for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. During the 2005 season, Johnson's defensive unit allowed 23.5 points per game, which was the 42nd best mark in the nation.Johnson's 2006 team allowed 25.3 points per game.
Ohio State
Johnson spent five seasons as the cornerbacks coach at Ohio State, where he coached three consensus All-Americans in Malcolm Jenkins, Kurt Coleman and Chimdi Chekwa.
Arkansas
After Jim Tressel resigned from Ohio State in 2011, Johnson went south to coach the linebackers for Arkansas in 2012. After Bobby Petrino resigned as head coach of the Arkansas program, Johnson was named as the interim head coach until John L. Smith accepted the full-time position. Johnson would switch back to coaching defensive backs in 2013.
Purdue
Johnson spent three years coaching defensive backs for Purdue from 2014 through 2016.
Temple
In January of 2017, Johnson was named as the defensive coordinator at Temple underneath Geoff Collins, who was named the head coach of the Owls the month prior.