Returning to his alma mater is first-year USU running backs coach Shaun Johnson. In addition to mentoring the Aggie backs, Johnson will also coach the kickoff return unit.
Johnson played wide receiver at Utah State in 1993 and 1994. He comes to Logan after spending the last two seasons at Brown University where he coached the NCAA I-AA leading rusher in Nick Hartigan. Hartigan was a first-team All-America selection and was one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award given to the top player at the I-AA level after rushing for 172.2 yards per game.
Brown won the Ivy League title in 2005 with a 9-1 overall record. The Bears averaged 409.2 yards of total offense to rank 22nd in the nation, including 219.3 yards per game rushing, a figure that ranked 16th in the country.
As a player at Utah State, Johnson was on the 1993 Aggie team that won the Big West Championship and the Las Vegas Bowl. In 1994 he played in all 11 games, catching 20 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
Johnson, who graduated from USU with a degree in communications in 1995, coached at Hampden-Sydney College (1998), Adams State College (1999-2000), Brown (2001, 2004-05) and Langston (2002-03), prior to coming to USU.
He is married to the former Marcia Halaufia and they have two children Kavika (9) and Makana (5). Johnson was born Oct. 3, 1970 in Bryan, Texas.
"Shaun is a Utah State grad who I have known for a long time and has been coaching the running backs at Brown and they had a very successful year in 2005," Guy said. "He played on our championship team in 1993 and is a very experienced coach. He was a coordinator at one time (Langston)."
Coaching Experience
1998 Hampden-Sydney WR/RB
1999-2000 Adams State WR/Pass Coord.
2001 Brown Running Backs
2002-03 Langston Off. Coord.
2004-05 Brown RB/KR
2006 Utah State Running Backs
Playing Experience
1991-92 San Jose JC Wide Receiver
1993-94 Utah State Wide Receiver
Education
1991 Bryan HS Bryan, Texas
1995 Utah State Journalism
Personal
• Born Oct. 3, 1970 in Bryan, Texas
• Married to the former Marcia Halaufia
• Children Kavika and Makana
