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Utah State running backs coach Shaun Johnson is in his second year at his alma mater. In addition to directing the Aggie backs, Johnson will also coach the kickoff return unit. In 2006, Johnson mentored Aaron Lesue's transition from wide receiver to running back, and Lesue enters the fall as the starting tailback. Johnson also coached kick returner Kevin Robinson, who enters his senior season with three punts and one kickoff returned for scores in his Aggie career. Johnson, who played wide receiver at Utah State in 1993 and 1994, came to Logan after spending two seasons at Brown University where he coached the NCAA I-AA rushing leader 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 record. The Bears averaged 409.2 yards of total offense to rank 22nd in the nation, including 219.3 yards rushing, a figure that ranked 16th in the country. As a player at USU, 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 TDs. Johnson, who graduated from USU with a degree in journalism 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 (10) and Makana (6). 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 also 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/Kickoff Return |
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