Erik Johnson joined the Griffon football staff as defensive coordinator in 2023 after spending the previous three seasons alongside coach Tyler Fenwick at Southeastern Oklahoma State.
Johnson coached a Griffon defense in 2024 that finished the season at No. 2 in the MIAA in total tackles for loss (75). He helped six Griffon defenders earn all-MIAA accolades in 2024 and four others in 2025.
Johnson's success with the defense was key in 2023 , as the Griffons went 8-4 overall and qualified for the Farmers Bank and Trust Live United Bowl that year. Johnson helped eight Griffons reach all-MIAA status in 2023, including Dakari Streeter, who was named MIAA Defender of the Year. Johnson also helped Streeter earn second team all-American recognition from the Associated Press and D2CCA. Streeter was also a first team all-Super Region Three pick that season.
What's more, Johnson's defense led the MIAA in 2023 in total sacks (29), tackles for loss (99), red zone defense (72.7%) and forced fumbles (11).
In 2022, Southeastern Oklahoma boasted the third-stingiest defensive unit in the Great American Conference, allowing just 367.0 yards per game. Maalik Hall continued to be one of the most disruptive players in the GAC, finishing atop the league in sacks with eight en route to AFCA All-America honors.
In 2021, his defensive unit helped Southeastern put together one of the biggest single-season turnarounds in DII history, improving by 7.5 games to post a 9-3 record. That squad was also led by Hall, who earned GAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in addition to honorable mention all-American honors from Don Hansen's Football Gazette. Hall led a grouping of five Savage Storm players on the defensive side of the ball to earn all-GAC laurels. That 2021 defense allowed 24.3 points per game and kept offenses to 367.8 yards per game of total offense and just 210.1 yards per game through the air.
Johnson has almost 30 years of coaching experience under his belt, with a five year-stint as defensive backs coach at Claremont College in California, and a long tenure at Occidental College, where he served as defensive coordinator from 2002-2012.
While at CMS he coached six defensive back who earned All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors, including three first team selections. Those teams tallied 54 interceptions over five seasons and a total of 80 takeaways in that span.
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Prior to CMS, Johnson was the defensive coordinator for Occidental College from 2002-2012, where he was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2012 season. During his time at Occidental, the team won four SCIAC titles and the defense led the SCIAC in fewest points allowed and rushing defense in 2003 and 2004.
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Over 20 of his players at Occidental earned All-SCIAC honors, including Mike Bryant, the SCIAC's first three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
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Prior to his arrival to Occidental, he coached at Crescenta Valley High School (Defensive Coordinator, 2001), John Muir High School (Assistant Coach, 1993-1994; Head Coach, 1994-2000) and Blair High School (Assistant Coach 1991-1993).
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While at John Muir High School, Johnson coached over 40 athletes who went on to play Div. I FBS or FCS football. The Mustangs' offense broke several school records, including total yardage and points scored in a season. Defensively, John Muir ranked in the top five in points allowed in the CIF Southern Section in 1999 and 2000. Johnson's teams won four league titles and made the CIF playoffs every year, advancing to the semifinals twice, and the quarterfinals three times. He was named Pacific League Coach of the Year twice (1997 and 1998) and San Gabriel Valley Coach of the Year once (1997). He won four Pacific League titles at Muir and one at Crescenta Valley.
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Johnson played quarterback at Citrus College (1986-1987) before transferring to St. Mary's College for the 1988 and 1989 seasons. He graduated from Cal State LA with a Bachelor of Arts in social science.
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Johnson and his wife Gina have a daughter, Amber, and one grandson, Tyler.
