Jeremiah Johnson, a local of Scandia, Kansas, remembers the two-hour drives southeast to Manhattan for summer time teaching clinics at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. A 2000 graduate of the University of Kansas, Johnson additionally remembers Kansas State’s dominance on the gridiron.
A 24-year teaching profession, together with 13 years as a coordinator, Johnson is now again in the Sunflower State. After stints at Wyoming, Loras College, Northern Iowa, Kent State, Louisiana Tech and Coastal Carolina, Johnson will coach defensive backs — extra particularly, safeties — for the Wildcats, wanting to proceed a practice constructed over the years in the Little Apple.
“Being violent, flying around and being really good?” Johnson says. “I remember Kansas State defenses. Oh yeah, I remember.”
Johnson first met Ok-State head coach Collin Klein when each have been on the teaching workers at Northern Iowa in 2016. The two remained in contact ever since. As Johnson served as each defensive coordinator and interim head coach this previous season at Coastal Carolina, he had an thought heading towards bowl season that Klein would possibly take a head teaching place.
“We didn’t know where,” Johnson says, “but we had just started talking about the possibility of getting back together at that point.”
Johnson arrived in Manhattan on December 31 — about 24 hours after Coastal Carolina performed in the Independence Bowl. His first day at the Vanier Family Football Complex started January 1 shortly after dawn. There have been many individuals to satisfy and tons of movie of potential gamers to guage. It was the starting of an thrilling journey sporting the Powercat.
“It’s very exciting,” Johnson says. “I’ve been doing this lengthy sufficient that for me, the most vital factor is to be round the proper individuals. I’ve been coordinating defenses since 2013, and my entire purpose with each workers that I used to be part of was to encompass myself with actually good individuals, and other people I wished to be round.
“Coach Klein is doing the same thing. We sat in that staff room with Coach Peterson and Coach Marcus Woodson, and Coach Nick Toth, and Coach Buddy Wyatt, and all the analysts, and it’s just easy to communicate and to get along. There’s great energy in the room. It’s just exciting for everybody to feel it, and there’s not a lot of ego. I really think it’s going to be a phenomenal experience for everybody.”
Johnson spoke with Ok-State Sports Extra’s D. Scott Fritchen about his journey to Ok-State — and what’s subsequent as he hits an especially busy time finding and bringing in gifted potential gamers to assist the Wildcats throughout the 2026 season.
D. SCOTT FRITCHEN: December 24 it was introduced that you just had been employed to the Ok-State soccer teaching workers. I’m in whenever you spoke with Collin for the first time and precisely how the gears acquired set into movement so that you can be a part of this teaching workers?
JEREMIAH JOHNSON: The first time we talked about getting collectively this yr was at any time when we have been on the brink of play Georgia Southern, so there have been three weeks, I suppose, in the season, and it was preliminary. We simply talked about him possibly having some issues, some individuals have been beginning to attain out to him. We did not know the place, however we had simply began speaking about the risk of getting again collectively at that time.
My ideas actually have been to maintain profitable soccer video games at Coastal Carolina. But Collin is one in every of the greatest individuals in this enterprise, and we might labored collectively a very long time in the past at Northern Iowa and had at all times stayed in contact. Shalin and my spouse had stayed very shut by means of the years as effectively. It was simply a kind of issues the place we knew if the proper alternative got here and he wished us to be part of his workers, we have been going to do this no matter the place we have been or what part of life we have been in. It was going to be very onerous for us to say no to Coach Klein.
FRITCHEN: This previous yr, you have been defensive coordinator and interim head coach at Coastal Carolina. You had a number of balls to juggle. Was there any considered assuming the everlasting head teaching place for the first time?
JOHNSON: Not actually. We weren’t actually ok at Coastal to the place I felt like we might have an actual shot to get that head teaching job. I did not interview for it. My focus as soon as they named me the interim head coach was simply to maintain every little thing collectively so we might give our youngsters a chance to compete in a bowl recreation. The youngsters loved that month. I used to be simply completely satisfied that they had a chance to go play.
FRITCHEN: When you first spoke with Collin, did he talk about any attainable place teams that you just would possibly work with?
JOHNSON: We did not actually begin speaking about the specifics of something till in all probability two or three days earlier than we made the resolution to make it occur. I talked with he and (new defensive coordinator) Jordan Peterson fairly extensively one night, and that was the place we type of discovered how every little thing was going to work. That’s after we type of knew this was the way it was going to go and the way Jordan Peterson noticed it and the way Collin noticed it. So, there was actual readability there, which made it quite simple for us to make our resolution at that time.
FRITCHEN: You’re from Scandia, Kansas, and graduated from KU in 2000. How good does it really feel to be again in Kansas?
JOHNSON: It feels superior. Having not lived right here since 2002, I left and we went to Wyoming and I did an extended tour in Iowa and I’ve been north of I-80 for a very long time. Then in the final couple years I’ve been in the south, so I have never worn a heavy coat for the previous couple of years till I acquired right here on December 31. We performed the bowl recreation in Shreveport, flew again to Myrtle Beach, and needed to flip my stuff in the subsequent morning, after which caught a flight at midday and I acquired right here at 10:30 p.m.
FRITCHEN: So, you arrived on December 31. What did you do January 1?
JOHNSON: We got here as much as the workplace. Christian Ellsworth picked me up. He’s the man who performed for us at Northern Iowa, so I’ve identified Christian for a very long time. He picked me up at the lodge, we went to the workplace early, and I simply began evaluating portal youngsters. We did that for about 12 hours. Then the Kleins threw a mixer for us all so we might get to know one another and the households have been invited, so I acquired to satisfy lots of people, which was an exceptional expertise for us. There was a number of vitality. I instructed Collin after we have been standing there that there are simply so many good people who he is introduced into this constructing. Like, everybody is an efficient individual, which is what you’d anticipate from Coach Klein and Shalin. They’re good individuals and they will encompass themselves with actually good individuals and the type of individuals you wish to be round. Everybody is fairly enthusiastic about the course that this factor is headed.
FRITCHEN: When you hear “Kansas State football” what first come to thoughts?
JOHNSON: Winning. Powercat. Toughness. Physicality. When I used to be actually younger, Kansas State wasn’t nice. When Coach Snyder acquired right here, every little thing modified, and he utterly flipped every little thing about what America considered Kansas State soccer. Since then, the narrative has been that you just anticipate Kansas State to win, and you realize they will be bodily and disciplined, and that is actually what we will do. That’s not going to alter.
FRITCHEN: What do bear in mind about the Ok-State protection over the years?
JOHNSON: Being violent, flying round and being actually good? I bear in mind Kansas State defenses. Oh yeah, I bear in mind. Coach Chris Klieman was in my marriage ceremony. I’ve identified Coach Klieman since 1998, so we’re very shut, and I’ve identified Coach Joe Klanderman for some time. Before that, I knew Blake Seiler. I recruited right here for thus lengthy in Kansas that I used to return into this constructing even earlier than Coach Klieman was head coach and clinic with guys. I’ve been fairly acquainted with Kansas State soccer for a very long time, and I’m fairly excited to have this brand on my shirt.
FRITCHEN: You’re a 24-year teaching veteran, and that is your first job at a Power 4 faculty. What’s the sense of pleasure you are feeling being part of this workers and being at Ok-State?
JOHNSON: It’s very thrilling. I’ve been doing this lengthy sufficient that for me, the most vital factor is to be round the proper individuals. I’ve been coordinating defenses since 2013, and my entire purpose with each workers that I used to be part of was to encompass myself with actually good individuals, and other people I wished to be round. Coach Klein is doing the identical factor. We sat in that workers room yesterday with Coach Peterson and Coach Marcus Woodson, and Coach Nick Toth, and Coach Buddy Wyatt, and all the analysts and it is simply simple to speak and to get alongside. There’s nice vitality in the room. It’s simply thrilling for everyone to really feel it and there is not a number of ego. I actually assume it should be an exceptional expertise for everyone.
FRITCHEN: Collin Klein calls you a “relentless recruiter.” What qualities make you a high-level recruiter, what areas of the nation do you significantly get pleasure from recruiting, and the way do you propose to promote potential student-athletes on Ok-State soccer?
JOHNSON: The greatest factor with recruiting is you must have a piece ethic. That’s the key with recruiting is you must work. I’ve recruited Kansas City since 2007. When I used to be at Northern Iowa, I recruited Kansas City all the time. So, I used to be in a position to pull actually good gamers out of there over the years. Fortunately, over these years a number of these coaches are the identical, so I do know a ton of highschool coaches in the Kansas City space – and actually the entire state of Kansas – so I do get pleasure from recruiting there. I’ve acquired recruiting ties in Georgia, Charlotte, however recruiting, to me, is about constructing relationships. You must construct relationships with the highschool coach, with these younger individuals, after which with the individuals that they are near. Ultimately, that is how one can get these youngsters to return be part of your program.
In phrases of what you promote at Kansas State? Number one, you will have phenomenal amenities, a tradition that is going to be household oriented, a tradition that is going to be based mostly on wins and losses, and we will win soccer video games and go to bowl video games and compete to play in the College Football Playoff. There’s a number of nice issues for us to promote. Plus, you will get a world-class training right here. The issues you possibly can promote is countless, actually. That’ll be phenomenal. Walking in locations with this brand on my shirt goes to enjoyable for me, I feel.
FRITCHEN: With the switch portal, you mentioned you have been movie for 12 hours your first day right here. This is a special age of faculty soccer. What’s the problem of adjusting to it. We discuss recruiting, and it seems you are recruiting over after which over once more.
JOHNSON: We’ve at all times needed to recruit, however you are now recruiting school youngsters in addition to highschool youngsters, so typically your focus is totally different, however switch portal recruiting is extra like velocity relationship, and highschool recruiting is extra like relationship relationship. When you are in the portal, you are on the lookout for one thing very particular and the youngsters are on the lookout for one thing very particular as effectively. You must make a number of cellphone calls, discover the proper match actually for that child and for you, so it is actually the proper match for everyone. So, you spend a number of time evaluating, and on the cellphone ensuring what you must provide is absolutely what that child is on the lookout for, but in addition as a result of these youngsters who’re in the portal are in the portal for a motive. Generally, it is taking part in time on the soccer subject. If it is a child who has one yr, is he seeking to be a starter? Maybe you do not have that spot.
You simply must undergo and be sincere with youngsters and inform them that is what we want and what we’re on the lookout for, and ask them what they’re on the lookout for, and undergo it that method. With highschool youngsters, it is a little bit bit totally different, as a result of they’re on the lookout for model recognition typically, the training piece, the household environment piece. Most of those portal youngsters do not care. They’re on the lookout for one thing utterly totally different. It’s a very totally different sort of recruiting with the portal than together with your custom highschool recruiting. You must flip the change relying upon who you are speaking to at that second.
FRITCHEN: Describe your management and training fashion.
JOHNSON: People would name it servant management, I suppose. I do consider that my position is to empower individuals and to indicate them learn how to do the issues that they should do to achieve success in life. I’m not a yeller. I’m extra more likely to put my arm round a younger man and ask him inquiries to attempt to talk with him, to assist him to see how he can get higher. I actually do not yell hardly in any respect. Even after I was a coordinator I did not yell. I simply do not assume that is an amazing type of communication, usually as a result of youngsters will tune you out. So, after I do yell, individuals are like, “What the heck? Why is JJ yelling? Somebody must’ve done something really bad.” I attempt to empower individuals and allow them to do what they’re speculated to do and provides them the keys to the automotive to allow them to do what they should do to achieve success. That’s how I at all times attempt to do it. I attempt to give them the instruments to achieve success so I can assist them in any method that they want me to assist him, to allow them to do what they should do.
FRITCHEN: You have a few years of expertise as a defensive coordinator and have coached a number of totally different positions alongside the method up to now in your journey. Let’s discuss Northern Iowa, Kent State, Louisiana Tech and Coastal Carolina for a minute. How did these experiences form you into the coach and instructor you might be at present?
JOHNSON: They’ve all been phenomenal. I’ve met tons and tons of unbelievable mentors. You can study from each expertise you will have in life, whether or not it is good or it is unhealthy. Sometimes you study issues like, “I’d never want to do that,” and different instances you are like, “Man, that really worked. I’m going to continue to do things this way.” But you additionally study totally different components of the world have totally different sorts of individuals so you possibly can study to speak otherwise with totally different individuals in totally different locations. Ultimately, what I’ve discovered does not matter the place you might be, if you may make individuals be ok with themselves, they will offer you every little thing they’ve. That’s actually what I’ve at all times tried to do, is to assist youngsters to consider in themselves, to allow them to attain their full potential in each facet of their lives.
FRITCHEN: You’ve coached expertise, and your defenses have produced spectacular statistics. What are some achievements you are most pleased with in your profession?
JOHNSON: Probably the one which’s most spectacular defensively is the protection we inherited at Louisiana Tech was ranked No. 130 in the nation and we took them to 12th in the nation in one season. We had actually, actually good coaches on that workers and large gamers and so they all purchased into what we have been doing from a tradition facet, and it was an exceptional expertise. We have been very pleased with that group. Statistics? You could make them say no matter you need. I’m extra pleased with the youngsters that got here in as a walk-on and located a strategy to be a starter in some unspecified time in the future in their profession — guys who actually made development as a result of they actually believed in the issues we have been attempting to get them to do. You can affect lives that method. From a soccer perspective, we have discovered methods to create takeaways and cease individuals. Generally, these are the youngsters. Coaches get an excessive amount of credit score for that. The youngsters do the work. We simply attempt to put them into place to make performs. But they must make the performs.
FRITCHEN: Again, you’ve got coached numerous positions over the years. What do you get pleasure from about teaching the defensive again place group? What makes the defensive again group distinctive?
JOHNSON: Primarily, I’ll be teaching the safeties and Coach Woodson will coach corners and Coach Peterson will likely be over all of us. I like teaching defensive backs as a result of in the event you actually give it some thought, there are only a few individuals in the world which are skilled to go backward. So, you prepare them to go backward after which in some unspecified time in the future you ask them to go ahead as quick as they will and run into one thing that is working at them as quick as they will. So, it is type of a novel factor. But that is what I like about it. Also, I consider that the defensive backs, simply from a talent set, athletically, the issues we ask them to do, you must be fairly athletic to have the ability to do all these issues — from the bodily actions they’ve do with flipping their hips, to having the ability to switch from backward to ahead, or facet to facet, a number of these actions take elite athleticism, after which there are the ball abilities, and I do prefer to get youngsters who will assault a soccer.
As we transfer ahead, again in outdated days, a number of youngsters performed a number of sports activities, so I at all times tried to search out youngsters in the secondary who performed baseball as a result of a very good outfielder that is aware of learn how to observe the ball can observe a soccer, too, in the put up. But you discover much less and fewer of these guys now, so you actually must work onerous to guage these ball abilities. We have been truly speaking about it in the workers room, simply educating guys ball abilities or educating guys learn how to catch, and I simply requested Coach Peterson what he had finished to show ball abilities, and we talked about what I had finished and what he had finished over the years to attempt to work with that. But I do get pleasure from the secondary in all probability the most of any place on the soccer subject.
FRITCHEN: Have you seen any of the Ok-State safeties on this present roster but?
JOHNSON: Yep, and I’ve talked to all of them. I’m attempting to construct relationships with these youngsters. I began that even after I was again in Myrtle Beach. I simply wish to begin constructing that relationship earlier than they get again to campus so at the very least the first time they see me it isn’t the first time they’ve talked to me. That’ll proceed right here as we undergo the subsequent weeks till the 18th when all people will get again to campus. They all have totally different skillsets, and what’s not truthful is I’m not 100% positive how we will play schematically but. We have not had an opportunity to sit down down and discuss that. So, in phrases of how every little thing goes to suit proper now, I do not know precisely what that might seem like. That’s what I mentioned on the cellphone after I talked to them, is hopefully in the subsequent weeks we will sit down as a workers and begin saying, “OK, this guy is going to be here, and this guy is going to be here,” so then we will begin speaking extra particularly about, “This is what we have to do with this guy,” to get these guys prepared earlier than we begin spring ball to provide them the greatest alternative to win a job.
FRITCHEN: How many safeties do you presently have?
JOHNSON: Seven or eight. I’ll have to have a look at my board. I performed with three-high the final seven or eight years, so I carried 12 safeties, however schematically we cannot carry that many, however you actually wish to have a four- or five-deep so we’ll carry 8 to 10. Then you wish to have that man who can swing and possibly play some nickel. So, 9 or 10 is what I feel we’ll have on the roster.
FRITCHEN: What’s the customary you may demand out of your defensive backs at Ok-State?
JOHNSON: Their greatest. The cool factor about it’s they get to set their very own customary. But I would like their greatest in all that they do all the time. If they get an “A” on a take a look at, the subsequent time they take that take a look at I anticipate them to get an “A.” If they get a “C” on a take a look at, the subsequent time I hope they will get a “B-minus.” But the customary is what it’s, so if they arrive out of a put up and make a play at the prime of the numbers, why would not I anticipate them to do this each time? They’ve proven us that they will try this. If you are able to do it one time, the customary is that you are able to do it each time. That’s what I’m going to anticipate from them is their greatest in every little thing they do all the time.
FRITCHEN: What are the plans transferring ahead?
JOHNSON: I’m going to sit down down and consider and prepare for some guys who’re coming in on visits right here, and get my movie prepared, so if we get some safeties coming in right here, I’m in all probability solely going to take one or two, however I wish to be sure it is the proper one or two, and that I’m prepared once they get right here, so I’ve a very good go to lined up, so we will get them if we wish them.
FRITCHEN: From that boy in Scandia, Kansas, to the place you sit at present, what has Jeremiah Johnson discovered most about himself throughout his journey?
JOHNSON: If you encompass your self with good individuals, and also you deal with individuals the proper method and work actually onerous, you are able to do something you wish to do.