CornHunka

Johnson, unlike Callahan, uses what he has around him and what is easiest for him to obtain to win.. Hey Blackshirt, get to know Paul Johnson, the more you research the guy, the more you'll like him. Here's his bio broken down a bit: When college football experts around the country talk about the best college football coaches in America, the conversation should begin with Navy head coach Paul Johnson. After all, what he has accomplished at the Naval Academy in five seasons has been of historic proportions. Johnson took over a program that had posted a 1-20 record the previous two years before his arrival in 2002. After a 2-10 mark in his first year, the Navy football program has achieved what many thought was no longer possible at an Academy, as Johnson has brought the Midshipmen back into the national spotlight with a 35-15 (.700) record over the last four years and has led Navy to a school-record four-straight bowl games and a school-record four-consecutive Commander-In-Chief's Trophies. The 35 wins are the second most in program history over a four-year time span. Johnson's .744 career winning percentage (99-34) ranks 10th among all active coaches, while a win over Temple in the season opener this fall would make him the 26th-fastest coach to reach 100 wins in NCAA history. Like a fine wine, Johnson's teams are better as they age. Over the last four years, Navy has posted a 10-2 (.833) record over the final three games of the season and has outscored the opposition, 464-246, in those contests. And if you give him time to prepare for an opponent, he is pretty tough to beat as well, as the Mids are 13-5 (.722) over the last four years when Johnson has more than a week to break down the other team's defense. Johnson's teams have been successful off the field as well, as Navy ranks No. 1 in the country in graduation rates. Johnson was recognized for his coaching exploits when he was named the 2004 Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year. Johnson took over a program that was coming off the worst two-year span in its 123-year history (1-20) and had recorded just two winning seasons the last-20 years. "The program didn't get the way it is overnight, and it's not going to change overnight," said Johnson. "But I am confident that you can win here. If I didn't believe that, I would have never accepted the job." Johnson came to Navy from Georgia Southern, where he posted a 62-10 (.861) record, won two-straight I-AA National Championships (1999 and 2000), five-straight Southern Conference Championships and was named the Division I-AA National Coach of the Year four-consecutive times (1997-2000). After Johnson took over as head coach at Georgia Southern in 1997, he returned the Eagle program to national prominence statistically and in the won-lost ledger. In addition to Georgia Southern's 62-10 mark, In 1998, Johnson guided the Eagles to a perfect 11-0 regular-season record and the school's sixth NCAA Division I-AA National Championship Game appearance before finishing with a 14-1 mark. In 1999, Johnson brought Georgia Southern back to the national championship game and this time won it, as the Eagles finished 13-2, broke 197 records and won the school's fifth national title. For his efforts, Johnson was honored as the 1999 American Football Coaches Association and Chevrolet I-AA National Coach of the Year. The Eagles came back in 2000 and won their second-straight national championship, posting a 13-2 record. Johnson was named the American Football Coaches Association I-AA Coach of the Year. Johnson was Navy's offensive coordinator in 1995 and 1996 and his spread offense made an immediate impact, breaking five school records during the Mids' five-win season in 1995, equaling the most wins by a Navy team since 1990. Prior to joining the Navy staff, Johnson spent eight seasons as the offensive coordinator at the University of Hawai'i (1987-94). He helped guide the Rainbows to their first Western Athletic Conference title and their first bowl appearance coordinating an explosive offense that broke or equaled over 160 school records. While at Hawai'i, Johnson developed a successful offensive unit which earned top-20 I-A statistical rankings in scoring offense, total offense and rushing offense during six of his eight seasons. He earned Top Offensive Coach honors in the WAC and was named one of the top-10 assistant coaches in the country by The Sporting News. Johnson, a native of Newland, N.C., earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Western Carolina in 1979 and a Master's of Science degree in health and physical education from Appalachian State in 1982. He and wife, Susan, are the parents of a daughter, Kaitlyn (14).

I think a pro for Pelini and a con for Gill would be assistant coaches. I think Bo would have better assistants coaches ready to come aboard, while Gill would have to get Dr Tom to help him fill his staff. I've got nothing to back this up, just IMO.

From November 17 Lincoln Journal Star. Levorson leads Crete back to finals BY RYLY JANE HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 - 12:56:16 am CST There’s something about putting on those shoulder pads and strapping on a helmet. As far as John Levorson is concerned, it doesn’t get any better than that. “I love the Friday night atmosphere, the atmosphere of a football game,” said the Crete senior. “It’s a great team sport. Everybody has to be doing their part for a team to be successful.” Levorson, a Husker recruit, has the perspective of being a multisport athlete. “With football, it can be that one play. In basketball, you can get up by 20 points and end up losing the game,” Levorson said. “In football, you can go three yards, three yards, three yards and all of a sudden pop a 60-yard touchdown run and the crowd goes wild. A dunk is still just two points.” Levorson has excelled in everything he does. He was second-team Super-State in football as a defensive back last year and the Class B all-state quarterback. In basketball, he was a second-team Super-Stater and first-team all-state in Class B. At the state track meet last spring, he helped the 1,600 relay team to a first-place finish, ran on the second-place 400 relay team, finished fourth in the 100 and competed in the high jump. “It helps that I’ve played on great teams and I have great coaches,” he said. “Going out and competing all the time makes me mentally tougher. Playing other sports helps me become a better athlete in general. It helps me to be faster, stronger and jump higher.” He has used all of his skills to lead Crete (12-0) into the Class B championship game Saturday against McCook (12-0). And according to coaches of teams Crete beat along the way, he will likely be the focal point of McCook’s defense. “Levorson can beat you any way, throwing it or running it,” said Beatrice coach Bob Sexton. “You get the feeling during a game that it’s just a matter of time before he breaks one,” Elkhorn coach Mark Wortman said. “You’d better have a perfect angle on him or he’s gone. He’s a difference-maker who can reach full speed in two steps.” “We didn’t do enough offensively to keep the ball away from Levorson and they have good people around him,” said Waverly coach Mike Johnson. “He did a nice job running and throwing. We had chances to tackle him on those big runs, but we couldn’t get him down.” Nebraska recruited Levorson as an athlete, and he said he expects to play safety, which is his position on defense for Crete. There are differing opinions as to where the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder with a 32-inch vertical leap will end up. Chuck McGinnis didn’t hesitate a second when asked whether Levorson is more important to Crete on offense or defense. “Offense. Everything goes through him. He creates a lot of problems for the defense, which allows us to do things with other personnel,” he said. “It all starts with John at quarterback. He knows the other 10 positions on the field, which guard is pulling, when we double-team the end. He knows the answer.” It is his ability to pick apart the defense that really makes him shine. “He recognizes defenses and sees weakness we don’t necessarily see from the sideline,” said McGinnis. “He understands how to unscramble things and get us in the right formation when we’re going to check out of a play. He reads the defense very well.” Being a Husker recruit draws an automatic amount of attention. But Levorson remains low-key and humble, according to McGinnis. “When we score, he’s one of first down to the end zone to help celebrate. He’s unselfish, and he’s always been that way,” he said. “The early commitment let him relax and play football and enjoy the season.” His team-first attitude was apparent when he sang the praises of the Cardinal offensive line, rattling off the names of the players who protect him like he was their press agent. “I can’t say enough about the line. They had pressure on them coming in this year because we graduated our whole line last year,” said Levorson. “They are all really first-year starters. Brandon Schmejdir is at center, Han Chu and Shane Renner are the guards, Brandon Wagner and Tim Herman are the tackles, and Garrett Reckling and Micah Marvin are the tight ends.” Levorson knows where it all started. At home, watching and playing with his brother, Mike Rodenbough, who played on Crete’s 2000 championship team. Levorson was a water boy for that team. “I think that’s one of the reasons I’m so into sports. I grew up with an older brother, and a kid looks up to him and always wants to be like him,” said Levorson. “It rubbed off on me. My brother was a three-sport athlete and I watched him compete.”

I saw it too, my original thought was state high school football, but that doesn't start until later in the week. I dunno

A good friend of mine teaches at Fairbury and he said that Dennis Wagner was at Fairbury today. No clue on who Wags was looking at, but he was in Fairbury on Tuesday. There's an article on LJS's website that goes into a bit of detail.

I'd love to see this kid at that fast outside linebacker positions similar to what Eddie Stewart did back in the day. The new defensive coaches are going to love this guy when they see him.

Actually, he got a couple of votes for post of the year. The response is very positive about Husker fans and bashing KSU fans. I'm shocked.

AMEN, Brutha!!

Those of you in Nebraska can get a chance to watch John Leverson in the Class B state football finals versus McCook on Saturday night November 18 on NET1 at 7 pm. This kid's a player.

I don't fault Callahan for not singing the fight song with the players, I'm sure he has media obligations, but he could have acknowledged the fans with a simple wave or something like that.

Where can I sign a petition to get this guy become the new voice of Husker football? He's great because he describes the action and his little points are poignant, not that totally obscure nonsense that JR is infamous for.

copied off the KSU Scout page First off...this is from someone who doesn't post often but visits almost every day. I am a former player from the mid 90's. I also have knowledge and repect for the history as my in-laws have had season tickets for 25+ years. That's right, even back in the day. Those who have tickets and aren't going Saturday, or those who are just jumping off the wagon are sad excuses and shouldn't consider yourself a fan. A Fan supports your team through thick and thin, not just when they are winning. Just to pop your head out when things are great is just flat out not right. This game today in Lincoln serves as a perfect example as to what REAL fans mean to a team. NU has had a HORRIBLE YEAR...one that every husker would like to forget. Yet, those fans in Lincoln were packed as usual and were just as loud as if they were undefeated and competing for the North. That is what we need to be. There is absolutly NO question that the NU players ralleyed around thier crowd and the ball of momentun just got bigger and bigger. Thier fans could have folded like many of ours already have. Instead, they decided to SUPPORT THIER TEAM and their players rallied around that! Our guys have had a tough two game stretch that they would rather forget. No, they didn't play well at all, but they didn't go out there trying to lose! They don't put in those grueling off-seasons and long hours to play like that, but unfortunately it happens. But you know what...they are going to work hard this week and they are going to show up on Saturday to try and beat the Tigers. What message does that show if we don't? We need to as well!! Bottom line is this...Have you ever been in a funk or have things in your life that are just flat out not going well? I am sure you wouldn't want your support people to quit on you. This guy can't spell worth a crap, but his message rings clear.

what a jackass, and his employee sounds like one too.

If I'm Dr Tom, Tommy Tubberville goes right to the top of the leaderboard. This guy can flat out coach.

Found this on a different site. Reduction of walk-ons at Nebraska benefits small schools in state November 7, 2007 LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -While the Nebraska Cornhuskers are at their lowest point in a half century, their little brothers at the state's NCAA Division II schools have never been better. Chadron State is No. 2 in the national rankings. Nebraska-Omaha is No. 3. Both are unbeaten and, along with Wayne State College, are in position to win conference championships. Nebraska-Kearney also is having a winning season. So is it a coincidence small schools in this state of 1.7 million are thriving while the Huskers are diving? Nebraska's D-II coaches think not. They say Huskers coach Bill Callahan's decision to blow up the walk-on program that enjoyed national prominence from the 1970s to 1990s under Tom Osborne has left a bevy of high-quality homegrown players available for the small schools. ``One of the more frustrating things for me was to offer a young man a Division II-caliber scholarship to play football at UNK and have them turn that down and have them walk on at Nebraska,'' said UNK coach Darrell Morris. ``When I heard coach Callahan was going to maybe de-emphasize the walk-on program, it didn't hurt my feelings.'' Nebraska's squad numbered near 200 players during the walk-on program's heyday, enough for Osborne to run four full practice stations. Sure, most of the walk-ons were practice meat, but a few blossomed into stars. Derrie Nelson of Fairmont was an All-America defensive end in 1980. Offensive lineman Adam Treu of Lincoln was among those who followed and had a long stint with the Oakland Raiders. Fullback Joel Makovicka of Brainard played for the Arizona Cardinals. Osborne capitalized on the passion for Big Red in this state, where kids grow up dreaming of playing for the Huskers. The walk-on program linked the team to the state's many small towns. ``Almost everyone had somebody who was playing here,'' Osborne said. The walk-ons epitomized hard work and the desire to play for the state and the ``N'' on the helmet. The attitude rubbed off on scholarship players from out of state, Osborne said. Frank Solich, who succeeded Osborne, didn't take all comers like Osborne did. Solich was more selective but still took 25 to 30. Callahan took 12 this year. Osborne, now interim athletic director, said he would recommend a revival of the walk-on program to whoever is coaching the team next season. None of the Division II coaches would estimate how many of their current players would have opted to walk on at Nebraska in the past. ``All I know is that we get a couple kids a year that we never would have had a shot at,'' Chadron State's Bill O'Boyle said. Interestingly, Chadron's best player - Danny Woodhead - turned down an offer from Solich to walk on at Nebraska. Woodhead this year became the all-time leading rusher in all of college football. Wayne State coach Dan McLaughlin helped administer Nebraska's walk-on program as an assistant under Callahan for seven months in 2004. He said Callahan's desire to have a more ``manageable'' squad size was reasonable. ``Instead of having an open door, it became more of an invitation,'' he said. ``We're inviting you to the party instead of anyone showing up who wanted.'' Nebraska-Omaha probably has felt the least impact from the Huskers' walk-on cutback, coach Pat Behrns said. UNO, which offers a full complement of 36 scholarships and has some of the best facilities in Division II, targets the top 15 in-state prospects each year. If Nebraska signs the top five, Behrns stands a good chance of getting many of the other 10 because he can offer each close to a full scholarship. Behrns said nearby Football Bowl Subdivision programs (formerly I-A) such as Wyoming, Colorado State and Iowa State are becoming more active recruiting the state, as are nearby Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) programs such as Northern Iowa, South Dakota State and Northern Colorado. As far as Chadron's O'Boyle is concerned, he'll gladly take the players Nebraska doesn't want. ``We would try to offer a measly amount of money, and you would call the next week and the kid would have Osborne visiting him asking him to walk on. It was a done deal,'' O'Boyle said. ``Those times have changed.'' ---

A HUGE Husker fan and assistant football coach of Mesa (AZ) High and current Husker commit Keelan Johnson, will be coming to his first Husker home game. He is kinda disappointed that he finally makes the trip and the Huskers are having a "tough" season, but John is all excited and he's kinda making me excited also. I'm going to support my team and hope to high heaven that this is the last time Cosgrove and Callahan walk on to Memorial Stadium as Huskers.

He starts off with Tubberville to A&M, (that' ain't good folks, Tubberville is one of the best out there) "Names are flying when I talk to sources about the Nebraska job. Proven coaches who should get looks are Wake Forest's Jim Grobe, Navy's Paul Johnson, former Minnesota coach Glen Mason, South Florida's Jim Leavitt, Wisconsin's Bret Bielema and TCU's Gary Patterson. Stay tuned. This will be interesting." Heard all these names before except Bielema, hmmm, maybe Alvarez is guilty about giving us Cosgrove that he's willing to give up Bielema to compensate.

A very good friend of mine is former Husker Kurt Mann's brother in law. He told me that Dr Tom is calling a bunch of former player's parents. My friends father in law got a call from Dr Tom and wanted to know how Kurt was treated by this coaching staff. Kurt man's father didn't hold back and told Dr Tom some of the things that we all know, that the coaching staff doesn't care for the players as people, basically they are a piece of meat, etc, etc, etc. (sorry I didn't pry to details), but after about 40 minutes, Dr Tom apologized for how Kurt was treated and said that this kind of thing will not happen as long as he is AD. Dr Tom is trying to heal some old wounds, but it'll take only two phone calls to heal this new gaping chest wound, and the first call would be to Bill Callahan to tell him his services will no longer be needed here at Nebraska, the next call would be to the next head coach, who ever that may be.

your post may be well intended and honestly, some people, including myself could take your message to heart sometimes, but posting on a message board hurts no one. If you are offended by something someone posts, don't read it. On the other hand, supposed Husker "fans" yelling at coach's kids during high school and pewee games and chastising them when they are with their families is pathetic. I employ real Nebraska fans to stand up to these people and let them know that stuff like this happens in Boulder, CO, not in Lincoln Nebraska. One thing I do want to clarify, though. None of the coaches salaries are paid by "state taxpayers money." The athletic department is totally self-funded. It gets zero money from state taxes.

What he said.

Now that's unbiased journalism if I've ever seen it Jackass.

Not to dump on the guy, but what do we really know about this kid besides his height, weight and 40 time? Callahan and his staff seem to always find guys who look the part of a football player, but are missing the football part. We need kids who go all out, high motor guys, leaders, hard workers, kids who come from good HS programs and are coachable (once we get a new defensive staff) WE NEED FOOTBALL PLAYERS.

hell, why don't they include Don Shula, Vince Lombardi and Bill Walsh.

That's for sure, I blame Turner's lackluster season on that extra weight he was put on. Drop 35 pounds off him and I think he'll be the player we all thought he'd be.

I heard a guy on Fox Sports Radio who is a college football expert for CSTV said that only guy on A&M's short list is current Auburn Coach Tommy Tubberville. Tubberville was the DC for the last really good "Wrecking Crew" defense.