Quoted: Craig Johnson Introductory Press Conference
2/15/2022 9:53:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – New Indiana associate head coach/running backs coach Craig Johnson addressed the media on Tuesday (February 15) evening inside the media room at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Craig Johnson | Associate Head Coach/Running Backs
Opening Statement
CJ: All I can tell you for sure is that it is a real honor and a privilege to be here at IU. I love the Big Ten, it is my second - or fourth time - being in the Big Ten, depending on how you count it. My father was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, so I followed the Big Ten for most of my life. Then to have a chance to come work for Coach Allen has been fabulous. He matches all of the thoughts I want, and I am really excited to come here and get this team going where everybody wants it to go.
On what he looks for when recruiting a running back...
CJ: I have learned that from the running back spot they come in all sizes, all shapes and all forms. Really big and strong, or really small and quick and fast guys that score a lot of touchdowns. Protect the ball and protect the quarterback, those are the guys I am looking for to help Indiana get to where they want to. I don't put anything on the height, weight, speed structure is. Obviously, we are going to evaluate all of the [talent] that we can, and we are going to try to get the best person to get this team to the top.
On what his experience in the NFL brings...
CJ: Obviously, I am going to try to dig deep on all of the experience that I have had, specifically the last two guys you mentioned [Saquon Barkley and Chris Johnson]. Obviously, one guy was a 2,000-yard rusher, and as I had mentioned, I only got him to about 1,350, in the year I got to coach him. [Chris Johnson] is a tremendous player. Like with all offenses, we are going to try to find out the best thing the guys who we are playing things they do well. Chris Johnson had tremendous speed, so we really emphasized outside plays because he could circle the defense and then find the running lane and go. Then, Saquon, when I had him back with the [New York] Giants, he was a man of everything. He can run inside. He can run outside. But, he had great vision, so sometimes we found ways just to get him the ball deep and let him make good decisions. So, they come in all sizes. I have been on teams with Eddie George, a big physical back, and that works. I have been on teams with Adrian Peterson with the Minnesota Vikings, and that works. [Peterson] was actually the MVP the year I was there. I don't care what their background is, they just need to be good enough and dynamic enough to help us keep balance in our offense and, obviously, you are always looking for a guy that can be great in all three phases: running, pass protection and catching the ball.
On how he feels he can transition from coaching the NFL to now in the NCAA...
CJ: I think the biggest difference the college and the pros is the time that you are able to spend with your players. Obviously, most college players have not matured to the max that they are going to be at. Therefore, I feel strongly, because I have been asked that question numerous times, "how much pro film do you show?" ... I will use some when needed, however, I don't believe I need to train a college player on what exactly you do in the pros. The keys are fundamentally sound, protecting the ball, protecting the quarterback and be able to make significant plays in critical situations: third down, red zone, two-minute, four-minute [offense]. If they are fundamentally sound and they can help us move the chains so we can make more third-down conversions, so you can have the ball more so you can score more. That's what happens. The fundamentals from the college player to the pro player, and the types of drills do not change. You're not obviously going to have them as advanced as you would with a pro player.
On what sticks out about the guys he has in the running backs room...
CJ: I have only gotten a chance to work them a little bit. I don't know their history and I don't know a ton about them [as players]. I got a chance to visit with them and I told them that was good for them, because I don't necessarily see their good, but I also have not seen their bad. The bottom line is that it is a clean slate and I made that very clear. They all have ability and I want them all to have a chance to play. I have yet to see a football team that had 13 running back - or whatever - play at the same time and all want the ball. I want them to want the ball, and if they don't want the ball they shouldn't be in my room. By the same token, I am going to give them the opportunity to prove that they can help our team get to the top of the Big Ten. That is the bottom line. As I mentioned before, running, pass catching and blocking. All the phases are critical, along with the ball security. That is what I have emphasized my whole career and most of the numbers from where I have been have kept that down, which gives you a better chance to win.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Craig Johnson | Associate Head Coach/Running Backs
Opening Statement
CJ: All I can tell you for sure is that it is a real honor and a privilege to be here at IU. I love the Big Ten, it is my second - or fourth time - being in the Big Ten, depending on how you count it. My father was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, so I followed the Big Ten for most of my life. Then to have a chance to come work for Coach Allen has been fabulous. He matches all of the thoughts I want, and I am really excited to come here and get this team going where everybody wants it to go.
On what he looks for when recruiting a running back...
CJ: I have learned that from the running back spot they come in all sizes, all shapes and all forms. Really big and strong, or really small and quick and fast guys that score a lot of touchdowns. Protect the ball and protect the quarterback, those are the guys I am looking for to help Indiana get to where they want to. I don't put anything on the height, weight, speed structure is. Obviously, we are going to evaluate all of the [talent] that we can, and we are going to try to get the best person to get this team to the top.
On what his experience in the NFL brings...
CJ: Obviously, I am going to try to dig deep on all of the experience that I have had, specifically the last two guys you mentioned [Saquon Barkley and Chris Johnson]. Obviously, one guy was a 2,000-yard rusher, and as I had mentioned, I only got him to about 1,350, in the year I got to coach him. [Chris Johnson] is a tremendous player. Like with all offenses, we are going to try to find out the best thing the guys who we are playing things they do well. Chris Johnson had tremendous speed, so we really emphasized outside plays because he could circle the defense and then find the running lane and go. Then, Saquon, when I had him back with the [New York] Giants, he was a man of everything. He can run inside. He can run outside. But, he had great vision, so sometimes we found ways just to get him the ball deep and let him make good decisions. So, they come in all sizes. I have been on teams with Eddie George, a big physical back, and that works. I have been on teams with Adrian Peterson with the Minnesota Vikings, and that works. [Peterson] was actually the MVP the year I was there. I don't care what their background is, they just need to be good enough and dynamic enough to help us keep balance in our offense and, obviously, you are always looking for a guy that can be great in all three phases: running, pass protection and catching the ball.
On how he feels he can transition from coaching the NFL to now in the NCAA...
CJ: I think the biggest difference the college and the pros is the time that you are able to spend with your players. Obviously, most college players have not matured to the max that they are going to be at. Therefore, I feel strongly, because I have been asked that question numerous times, "how much pro film do you show?" ... I will use some when needed, however, I don't believe I need to train a college player on what exactly you do in the pros. The keys are fundamentally sound, protecting the ball, protecting the quarterback and be able to make significant plays in critical situations: third down, red zone, two-minute, four-minute [offense]. If they are fundamentally sound and they can help us move the chains so we can make more third-down conversions, so you can have the ball more so you can score more. That's what happens. The fundamentals from the college player to the pro player, and the types of drills do not change. You're not obviously going to have them as advanced as you would with a pro player.
On what sticks out about the guys he has in the running backs room...
CJ: I have only gotten a chance to work them a little bit. I don't know their history and I don't know a ton about them [as players]. I got a chance to visit with them and I told them that was good for them, because I don't necessarily see their good, but I also have not seen their bad. The bottom line is that it is a clean slate and I made that very clear. They all have ability and I want them all to have a chance to play. I have yet to see a football team that had 13 running back - or whatever - play at the same time and all want the ball. I want them to want the ball, and if they don't want the ball they shouldn't be in my room. By the same token, I am going to give them the opportunity to prove that they can help our team get to the top of the Big Ten. That is the bottom line. As I mentioned before, running, pass catching and blocking. All the phases are critical, along with the ball security. That is what I have emphasized my whole career and most of the numbers from where I have been have kept that down, which gives you a better chance to win.
FB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 4 (Illinois)
Thursday, September 18
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 4 (Illinois)
Wednesday, September 17
FB: Mikail Kamara Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
FB: Kellan Wyatt Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16