Curtis Johnson (American football coach) facts for kids
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Johnson with the Houston Roughnecks in 2025
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| Houston Roughnecks | |
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| Position: | Head coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | November 5, 1961 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Laplace (LA) St. Charles |
| College: | Idaho |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | NCAA: 15–33 (.313) USFL/UFL: 9–17 (.346) |
| Postseason: | NCAA: 0–1 (.000) |
| Career: | NCAA: 15–34 (.306) USFL/UFL: 9–17 (.346) |
Curtis Johnson, Jr. (born on November 5, 1961) is a well-known American football coach. He is currently the head coach for the Houston Roughnecks team in the United Football League (UFL). Before this, he was the head coach at Tulane University from 2012 to 2015.
Curtis Johnson's Coaching Journey
Starting Out in Coaching
After finishing college at the University of Idaho, Curtis Johnson began his coaching career. His first job was coaching wide receivers at Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Idaho. In 1987, he moved to college football, becoming an assistant coach for the Idaho team.
Johnson quickly became known for being great at finding new players (recruiting) and helping them improve their skills. At San Diego State, he helped recruit Marshall Faulk, who later became a famous running back, and wide receiver Darnay Scott. While there, he also worked with Sean Payton, who would later offer Johnson his first job in the NFL.
After San Diego State, Johnson coached for one year at Southern Methodist University and then one year at the University of California. At California, he coached future All-American player Bobby Shaw. In 1996, he joined the coaching staff at Miami.
Success at Miami
Curtis Johnson spent ten years coaching at the University of Miami. During his time there, the team played in nine bowl games and won the National Championship in 2001. He coached many talented wide receivers, including Andre Johnson, Santana Moss, and Reggie Wayne. He also helped bring in star safety Ed Reed to the team.
Coaching in the NFL: New Orleans Saints
Johnson joined the New Orleans Saints as part of Sean Payton's first coaching team. As the wide receivers coach, he worked with players like Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, and Lance Moore. From 2006 to 2011, the wide receivers he coached scored 108 touchdowns. He was also a part of the coaching staff when the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV in the 2009 season.
Leading the Tulane Green Wave
On December 5, 2011, Curtis Johnson was named the new head coach for the Tulane Green Wave football team. He finished the NFL season with the Saints while also starting his new role at Tulane.
Johnson coached Tulane for four seasons. In 2013, the team started strong with a 6–2 record, which led them to their first bowl game in 11 years. However, after that, the team struggled. On November 28, 2015, Johnson was no longer the head coach at Tulane. He finished his time there with a record of 15 wins and 34 losses.
Time with the Chicago Bears
On February 15, 2016, Johnson was hired by the Chicago Bears as their wide receivers coach. He stayed with the team for one season. After that season, he decided to leave the Bears on January 30, 2017.
Back with the New Orleans Saints
In 2017, Johnson returned to the New Orleans Saints. He worked as a senior offensive assistant, helping with the team's offense. In 2021, he also took on the role of wide receivers coach again.
Coaching in the USFL and UFL
On February 15, 2023, Curtis Johnson became the head coach for the Houston Gamblers in the USFL. The Gamblers started the 2023 season with two losses but then won four games in a row, becoming a top team. However, they lost three of their last four games and finished the season with a 5–5 record, missing the playoffs.
After the 2023 season, the Gamblers team changed its name to the Houston Roughnecks and joined the UFL. Johnson continued as the head coach for the Roughnecks. In the 2024 season, the Roughnecks finished with a 1–9 record, which was the worst in the UFL that year.
Curtis Johnson's Personal Life
Curtis Johnson was born in New Orleans and grew up in St. Rose, Louisiana. His father was a councilman in St. Charles Parish. Johnson went to St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace, Louisiana. In 2010, his high school community honored him with a special exhibit.
After high school, Johnson attended the University of Idaho. He played college football and also ran track and field. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. Curtis Johnson and his wife, Angel, live in Harvey and have six children. He is also a deacon at his church and often visits schools and camps to talk about the importance of school, hard work, and faith.
One of his sons, Curtis "Trey" Johnson III, played wide receiver for the University of Memphis.
Head Coaching Records
College Coaching Record
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulane Green Wave (Conference USA) (2012–2013) | |||||||||
| 2012 | Tulane | 2–10 | 2–6 | 6th (West) | |||||
| 2013 | Tulane | 7–6 | 5–3 | 4th (West) | L New Orleans | ||||
| Tulane Green Wave (American Athletic Conference) (2014–2015) | |||||||||
| 2014 | Tulane | 3–9 | 2–6 | T–8th | |||||
| 2015 | Tulane | 3–9 | 1–7 | 6th (West) | |||||
| Tulane: | 15–34 | 11–22 | |||||||
| Total: | 15–34 | ||||||||
USFL/UFL Coaching Record
| Team | Year | Regular Season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| HOU | 2023 | 5 | 5 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in USFL South | – | – | – | |
| HOU | 2024 | 1 | 9 | 0 | .100 | 4th in USFL Conference | – | – | – | |
| HOU | 2025 | 5 | 5 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in USFL Conference | – | – | – | |
| Total | 11 | 19 | 0 | .367 | — | — | — | — | ||
