Indiana University Athletics
‘Total Package’ -- Johnson Aims To Have IU Running to Success
2/22/2022 1:35:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Here's Craig Johnson, Indiana's new running backs coach and associate head coach, pushing truth at its simplest level.
Sometimes, the best rushing attacks start with that.
"The key is, without a doubt, that the running backs coach has got to have his best friend on the team be the offensive line coach," Johnson says with a hint of a smile. "You want to make sure you are in step with them. How you set your blocks up is huge for me. That's imperative."
Nearly four decades of coaching has honed Johnson's rushing instincts. It has benefited teams such as Army, Rutgers, Northwestern, and Maryland in college, Tennessee, Minnesota, and the New York Giants in the NFL.
"I know how things work," he says, "how these blocks will get executed and where the holes could be on the defense."
Johnson knows something else, too.
"I don't coach robots. I tell them, this is your piece of the puzzle. You put it together how you see fit and go out and make plays.
"I won't say you have to do this. Sometimes you over-coach them and take away their natural ability."
Johnson has never done that, and it's why he's coached five Pro Bowlers -- three at quarterback, two at running back. He's coached for 38 years, 20 at the college level.
It all comes with this understanding:
"I always prefer a guy who can be great in all three phases -- running, pass protection, and catching."
Hold that thought.
A strong rushing attack is crucial for IU to bounce back from last season's 2-10 disappointment. Developing it involves the entire offense -- and not in the way you might think.
"You make sure the quarterback's footwork, the offensive line's footwork, the tight end's footwork, are all on the same page," Johnson says. "That's how you have a good running attack."
IU ranked 12th in the Big Ten last season in rushing, averaging 114 yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry. Improving those numbers is a huge priority.
"The keys," Johnson says, "are being fundamentally sound, protecting the ball, protecting the quarterback, make significant plays in critical situations -- third down, red zone, 2-minute. If they are fundamentally sound and help us move the chains, that's what looking for."
Johnson has thrived with NFL superstars such as Chris Johnson (9,651 career rushing yards), Adrian Peterson (14,918 yards), and Saquon Barkley (2,028 yards from scrimmage, 91 catches as the 2018 rookie of the year).
At the college level, his 1991 Virginia Military Institute attack -- he was the offensive coordinator -- led the nation in rushing. He was part of a Northwestern program that won consecutive Big Ten titles in 1995 and '96.
This is why head coach Tom Allen says Johnson, "Is the total package."
"His experience and character fit our culture perfectly."
Johnson believes in running-back excellence that defies physical limits. He's coached speed with Chris Johnson and all-around excellence in Barkley. He's had power backs, elusive backs, and backs who did it all.
Now, he'll bring that belief to IU running backs such as Shaun Shivers (Auburn grad transfer), Josh Henderson (North Carolina transfer) and Jaylin Lucas (high school standout).
"We'll try to find the best things for each player; the things they do well," Johnson says. "Chris Johnson had tremendous speed, so we emphasized a lot of outside plays because he could circle the defense, find running lanes and go.
"Saquon could do everything. He could run inside, outside, great vision. We found ways to get him the ball deep and make great decisions.
"They come in all sizes. I've been on teams with big, physical guys. That works. I've been on teams with Adrian Peterson. That really worked. He was MVP the year I was there. They have to be good enough and dynamic enough to help us keep balance in our offense."
As for the kind of players he will recruit …
"They have to protect the ball and protect the quarterback. Those are the guys I'm looking for to help get Indiana where it wants to go.
"I'm not worried about the height, weight or what the speed restriction is. We'll evaluate all the people we can and get the best players we can.
"We'll have tall guys, short guys, really fast guys, guys who can run over guys. We're going to get the best guys to help our team win. I want them to show up, play, and compete."
IU is bringing new running backs, plus a new offensive coordinator, plus a new running backs coach.
Adjustments will be everywhere you look.
"They're coming into a different type of offense," Johnson says. "They'll have different terminology. I have to go through the learning curve. They have to go through a learning curve."
Johnson's job is to bring out their best.
"I've only watched them work a little bit. I don't know a ton about them. I told them, that's good for them. I don't see their good or their bad. It is a clean slate. I made that very clear.
"They all have ability. I want them all to have a chance to play.
"They all want the ball. I want them to want the ball. If they don't, they shouldn't be in my room. I will give them the opportunity to prove they can help get the team to the top of the Big Ten. That's the bottom line."
For Johnson, understanding how to maximize running back talent means understanding how new offensive coordinator Walt Bell will utilize the running game.
"Most of that will come from how the offensive coordinator wants to use the backs," Johnson says. "Some coaches like to have one or two main guys, some want multiple guys. I will defer to what (Bell is) used to.
"I have gone both ways. I've been on a team that had a lead dog, an MVP lead dog. I've been on a team that had a rookie of the year.
"When you have a significant player like that, you have to make the decision -- do you want them on the field a lot. If you do, how can you give them rest?
"I've also been on teams where you shared the load. We still got the numbers, just not from one guy. That decision has yet to be determined. I want to make sure we're on the same page and speaking the same language."
Johnson is a Hoosier first and foremost because of Allen. The men share visions of what it means to be a coach, a leader, an example for young men to follow.
"I love his passion," Johnson says. "Two years ago, I was an analyst for Maryland. I came here and watched Indiana run up and down the field on us. And we couldn't move the ball.
"I was like, look at that coach. He is up and down, high-fiving his team, saluting them, cheering them on. I remember thinking, that guy coaches with energy, he would be a great guy to coach with someday."
And then the day arrived.
"When the opportunity came here," Johnson says, "it was a blessing, for sure. I love what (Allen) stands for and what he's all about. This is a good fit and something I wanted to do."
After leaving the New York Giants in 2019, Johnson spent time as a Maryland analyst. He wanted back in to full-bore coaching, but not in the NFL.
"Being away from the game, I recaptured the passion. College football was always my first love. This is just right."
Making it right also included a big dose of Mark Deal and Aaron Wellman.
Deal is synonymous with Cream & Crimson athletics. His father, Russ, was a captain on IU's 1945 Big Ten title team. His brother Mike played on the 1967 Rose Bowl team. His daughter, Carrie, played volleyball at IU. Mike's granddaughter, Riley Hecklinski, played softball for the Hoosiers.
Mark played and coached for the Hoosiers before moving to the administrative side of the football program and university. He's currently the assistant athletic director for alumni relations.
Wellman, IU's senior assistant athletic director for football performance, spent four seasons as the NFL's New York Giants strength coach, a couple while Johnson was there.
"I relied on the real Deal quite a bit," Johnson says. "He's a fabulous man. He was always talking about Indiana. Just hearing about how wonderful this place is for years. That made me feel comfortable.
"I worked with Aaron Wellman for a couple of years. Knowing what he's about. Those are people who I really trust.
"I love the Big Ten. This was all I wanted."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Here's Craig Johnson, Indiana's new running backs coach and associate head coach, pushing truth at its simplest level.
Sometimes, the best rushing attacks start with that.
"The key is, without a doubt, that the running backs coach has got to have his best friend on the team be the offensive line coach," Johnson says with a hint of a smile. "You want to make sure you are in step with them. How you set your blocks up is huge for me. That's imperative."
Nearly four decades of coaching has honed Johnson's rushing instincts. It has benefited teams such as Army, Rutgers, Northwestern, and Maryland in college, Tennessee, Minnesota, and the New York Giants in the NFL.
"I know how things work," he says, "how these blocks will get executed and where the holes could be on the defense."
Johnson knows something else, too.
"I don't coach robots. I tell them, this is your piece of the puzzle. You put it together how you see fit and go out and make plays.
"I won't say you have to do this. Sometimes you over-coach them and take away their natural ability."
Johnson has never done that, and it's why he's coached five Pro Bowlers -- three at quarterback, two at running back. He's coached for 38 years, 20 at the college level.
It all comes with this understanding:
"I always prefer a guy who can be great in all three phases -- running, pass protection, and catching."
Hold that thought.
A strong rushing attack is crucial for IU to bounce back from last season's 2-10 disappointment. Developing it involves the entire offense -- and not in the way you might think.
"You make sure the quarterback's footwork, the offensive line's footwork, the tight end's footwork, are all on the same page," Johnson says. "That's how you have a good running attack."
IU ranked 12th in the Big Ten last season in rushing, averaging 114 yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry. Improving those numbers is a huge priority.
"The keys," Johnson says, "are being fundamentally sound, protecting the ball, protecting the quarterback, make significant plays in critical situations -- third down, red zone, 2-minute. If they are fundamentally sound and help us move the chains, that's what looking for."
Johnson has thrived with NFL superstars such as Chris Johnson (9,651 career rushing yards), Adrian Peterson (14,918 yards), and Saquon Barkley (2,028 yards from scrimmage, 91 catches as the 2018 rookie of the year).
At the college level, his 1991 Virginia Military Institute attack -- he was the offensive coordinator -- led the nation in rushing. He was part of a Northwestern program that won consecutive Big Ten titles in 1995 and '96.
This is why head coach Tom Allen says Johnson, "Is the total package."
"His experience and character fit our culture perfectly."
Johnson believes in running-back excellence that defies physical limits. He's coached speed with Chris Johnson and all-around excellence in Barkley. He's had power backs, elusive backs, and backs who did it all.
Now, he'll bring that belief to IU running backs such as Shaun Shivers (Auburn grad transfer), Josh Henderson (North Carolina transfer) and Jaylin Lucas (high school standout).
"We'll try to find the best things for each player; the things they do well," Johnson says. "Chris Johnson had tremendous speed, so we emphasized a lot of outside plays because he could circle the defense, find running lanes and go.
"Saquon could do everything. He could run inside, outside, great vision. We found ways to get him the ball deep and make great decisions.
"They come in all sizes. I've been on teams with big, physical guys. That works. I've been on teams with Adrian Peterson. That really worked. He was MVP the year I was there. They have to be good enough and dynamic enough to help us keep balance in our offense."
As for the kind of players he will recruit …
"They have to protect the ball and protect the quarterback. Those are the guys I'm looking for to help get Indiana where it wants to go.
"I'm not worried about the height, weight or what the speed restriction is. We'll evaluate all the people we can and get the best players we can.
"We'll have tall guys, short guys, really fast guys, guys who can run over guys. We're going to get the best guys to help our team win. I want them to show up, play, and compete."
IU is bringing new running backs, plus a new offensive coordinator, plus a new running backs coach.
Adjustments will be everywhere you look.
"They're coming into a different type of offense," Johnson says. "They'll have different terminology. I have to go through the learning curve. They have to go through a learning curve."
Johnson's job is to bring out their best.
"I've only watched them work a little bit. I don't know a ton about them. I told them, that's good for them. I don't see their good or their bad. It is a clean slate. I made that very clear.
"They all have ability. I want them all to have a chance to play.
"They all want the ball. I want them to want the ball. If they don't, they shouldn't be in my room. I will give them the opportunity to prove they can help get the team to the top of the Big Ten. That's the bottom line."
For Johnson, understanding how to maximize running back talent means understanding how new offensive coordinator Walt Bell will utilize the running game.
"Most of that will come from how the offensive coordinator wants to use the backs," Johnson says. "Some coaches like to have one or two main guys, some want multiple guys. I will defer to what (Bell is) used to.
"I have gone both ways. I've been on a team that had a lead dog, an MVP lead dog. I've been on a team that had a rookie of the year.
"When you have a significant player like that, you have to make the decision -- do you want them on the field a lot. If you do, how can you give them rest?
"I've also been on teams where you shared the load. We still got the numbers, just not from one guy. That decision has yet to be determined. I want to make sure we're on the same page and speaking the same language."
Johnson is a Hoosier first and foremost because of Allen. The men share visions of what it means to be a coach, a leader, an example for young men to follow.
"I love his passion," Johnson says. "Two years ago, I was an analyst for Maryland. I came here and watched Indiana run up and down the field on us. And we couldn't move the ball.
"I was like, look at that coach. He is up and down, high-fiving his team, saluting them, cheering them on. I remember thinking, that guy coaches with energy, he would be a great guy to coach with someday."
And then the day arrived.
"When the opportunity came here," Johnson says, "it was a blessing, for sure. I love what (Allen) stands for and what he's all about. This is a good fit and something I wanted to do."
After leaving the New York Giants in 2019, Johnson spent time as a Maryland analyst. He wanted back in to full-bore coaching, but not in the NFL.
"Being away from the game, I recaptured the passion. College football was always my first love. This is just right."
Making it right also included a big dose of Mark Deal and Aaron Wellman.
Deal is synonymous with Cream & Crimson athletics. His father, Russ, was a captain on IU's 1945 Big Ten title team. His brother Mike played on the 1967 Rose Bowl team. His daughter, Carrie, played volleyball at IU. Mike's granddaughter, Riley Hecklinski, played softball for the Hoosiers.
Mark played and coached for the Hoosiers before moving to the administrative side of the football program and university. He's currently the assistant athletic director for alumni relations.
Wellman, IU's senior assistant athletic director for football performance, spent four seasons as the NFL's New York Giants strength coach, a couple while Johnson was there.
"I relied on the real Deal quite a bit," Johnson says. "He's a fabulous man. He was always talking about Indiana. Just hearing about how wonderful this place is for years. That made me feel comfortable.
"I worked with Aaron Wellman for a couple of years. Knowing what he's about. Those are people who I really trust.
"I love the Big Ten. This was all I wanted."
Players Mentioned
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