Well-traveled former Jeannette football standout joins Nebraska coaching staff

Anthony Johnson is no stranger to changing teams.

He played basketball and football at several high schools in the WPIAL and City League, most notably Jeannette, before finishing his prep career at Cleveland Heights in Ohio.

A key playmaker on Jeannette’s 2017 WPIAL and PIAA championship teams, the 300-pound defensive end who could be disruptive on the field with his energy and mean streak, went on to play college football at a few programs, including Bowling Green, Youngstown State and Pitt.

In recent years, since his playing days ended because of injury, Johnson has entered the coaching ranks.

There is no transfer portal for coaches, but Johnson has moved around. In six-plus months working on the recruiting trail, he is ready to make his third stop. This week, he was named recruiting coordinator at Nebraska.

He spent about two months working as a recruiting analyst and defensive assistant at Michigan. For several months before that, he was an assistant and recruiter at Pitt.

Nebraska is a step up for Johnson, who will apply his knowledge to life in the Big Ten while still learning the intricacies of today’s NIL and transfer portal-dominated recruiting game.

He will be one of 21 coaches/assistants on the Cornhuskers’ staff.

“I’m looking forward to learning from (general manager) Pat Stewart and picking his brain on evaluating and salary cap,” Johnson said. “He has been in the NFL previously with the Eagles, Panthers and Patriots. I learned a lot from all of my stops, playing and personnel. Being at the highest level of college football, revenue share has almost made it an even playing field. With that being said, relationships matter. I think I’m the best recruiter and relationship builder in the country, being able to relate to the recruits and players on and off of the field.”

Johnson has seen the recruiting landscape through the prism of a player and coach.

“I have experienced NIL and the transfer portal as a player,” he said. “The grass is not always more green where the money is or jumping in the transfer portal. Just being able to talk to them about my experience, I would say, goes a long way with the recruits. I look forward to taking on an increased responsibility at Nebraska. It’s a great opportunity. I’ll be able to work and learn from some of the best people in this profession. I’m really looking forward to it.”