The Chargers fired both Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi, and Quarterbacks Coach Shane Day on Tuesday morning. Losing both the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach most certainly means an entire scheme change for the Charger's offense. Here is a potential candidate to lead the Charger's offensive playcalling next season.
Brian Johnson History
Brian Johnson’s playing career began in 2004 at Utah as the backup to Heisman Trophy runner-up Alex Smith. The following season, he took over starter duties after Smith was drafted first-overall by the San Francisco 49ers. He would go on to throw for 7,853 yards and 57 touchdowns to 27 interceptions while being named the 2008 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. The 2008 Utah Utes became the only undefeated football team in 2008 with a 13-0 record, winning the Sugar Bowl, and Johnson was listed on the cover of EA’s 2010 NCAA Football video game for PlayStation 3.
Johnson went un-drafted in the NFL Draft and failed to crack an NFL roster. He gained interested in the Canadian Football League, and subsequently was drafted by New York Sentinels of the United Football League. His career as a football player ended there unfortunately, and he could find a place to actually play after his collegiate days.
Johnson returned to the University of Utah as a quarterbacks coach in 2010 after Utah joined the PAC-12. He was elevated to offensive coordinator from 2012-2013, then joined Mississippi State as quarterbacks coach from 2014-2016. At Mississippi State, Johnson is credited with developing Dak Prescott who went on to be the 2016 NFL Rookie of the Year.
Johnson continued is collegiate coaching career in 2017 with Houston as an offensive coordinator. He later joined with Dan Mullen in Florida as quarterbacks coach in 2018 and 2019, and was elevated to offensive coordinator with the Gators in 2020. His development of Feleipe Franks, and Kyle Trask ultimately landed him on the Eagles coaching staff for Nick Sirianni.
Johnson’s list of coaches he’s been under include Urban Meter as a player, Dan Mullen, Kyle Wittenham, and now Nick Sirianni.
Case For Brad Johnson
Brian Johnson’s first major protégé, Dak Prescott, eventually overtook Tony Romo as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Mississippi State did not have elite talent on their offense, yet Prescott still found a way to utilize his weapons to their best of their abilities with help from Johnson. His development as a collegiate player, and duel threat quarterback, eventually made him a 4th-Round Draft Pick. Prescott’s foundation prepared him to become a quality player in the NFL.
When Johnson arrived at Florida with Dan Mullen, the Florida program was a complete mess, having just finished 4-7. Johnson further developed Feleipe Franks into a quality passer with 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions in his first season. They also brought along Lamical Perine and Jordan Scarlett in the run game and developed Van Jefferson, Kadarius Toney, Freddie Swain, Tyrie Cleveland and Kyle Pitts as quality pass catchers.
Each year, the offense took a step forward. Kyle Pitts was drafted 4th-overall as a tight end by the Atlanta Falcons. Kadarius Toney and Van Jefferson were drafted in the 1st and 2nd rounds, and Freddie Swain and Tyrie Cleveland have been able to keep their NFL careers alive. Feleipe Franks has earned a place on the Falcons 53-man roster, and Kyle Trask was drafted in the 2nd-round by the Buccaneers, bidding his time behind Tom Brady. Each of their starting running backs sit on NFL rosters with Dameon Pierce in the running for NFL Rookie of the Year. There have also been a few offensive lineman who have made NFL rosters including Jawaan Taylor, Jean DeLance, Stone Forsythe.
Over the last season as the quarterbacks coach for the Eagles, Johnson helped turn Jalen Hurts into an MVP front-runner as well. The Eagles ended the regular season with the best record in the NFC and have a real shot at this years Super Bowl when they play the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship.
Case Against Brian Johnson
Johnson has experience as a play caller, but most of his success is only recent. Almost the entirety of his coaching experience comes from the college ranks. He played under Urban Meyer at Utah, and coached primarily under Dan Mullen who has been extremely successful as a college coach. The issue is he will need to prove that he can create a playbook not developed off the schemes of a college offense. College offenses can be dynamic, but college offenses do not always work out at the NFL Level. Most of the offensive line talent coming out of Florida have not been overly successful with Jawaan Taylor being the only starter during his 4-year.
Bottom Line
There are tons more of positives than there are negatives with Brian Johnson being a candidate to take over play-calling duties as an offensive coordinator. His track record at Florida helped develop players at multiple skill positions, but he has lacked to develop offensive line talent. That could be more of an issue with recruiting than it is his inability to develop offensive line talent. Johnson is a hot name for a reason, but we will likely have to wait until the Eagles post season ends before he can be interviewed. The Chargers are aggressively interviewing candidates now, and if a hire is to come soon, then they could miss out on an opportunity to take one of the best candidates for the job.
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