Harbaugh hires father of elite 2019 QB recruit for staff position

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on
Michael Johnson, Sr. has 10 years of NFL experience as well as serving as interim coach when Ricky Neuheisel was fired from UCLA. He's currently the head coach at The Kings Academy in Sunnyvale, CA. He also has a son (Michael Jr.) who is being recruited by Michigan at QB.

https://twitter.com/tka_athletics/status/831188350115602433

Stringer Bell

February 13th, 2017 at 2:10 PM ^

Former OC for the 49ers and UCLA. He is really overqualified, Harbaugh continues to bring in the best coaching talent. Would like for Johnson to be the 10th assistant, he'll probably kill it in Cali recruiting.

OC Alum91

February 13th, 2017 at 11:04 PM ^

I saw about 6-8 different articles on different sites about this hire. Half don't mention that he actually coached Harbaugh at Chargers. Most don't mention that he is actually overqualified for an analyst position based on us NFL and power 5 experience. an interesting twist--harbaugh didn't retain Johnson on 49ers staff when JH took over, which is when Johnson got picked up as OC by Newheisl. Apparently no hard feelings on Johnson's part.

LSAClassOf2000

February 13th, 2017 at 2:56 PM ^

My only question is how much of a shock will it be to move to Michigan at this time of the year if they do so any time soon? 

In all seriousness, it seems like a majority of the staff lives in the boundaries of Pioneer or Huron, but Saline is reasonably well-represented too sometimes, I've noticed. Rather a lot of nice options in Washtenaw County. 

Logan88

February 13th, 2017 at 3:54 PM ^

Those are the first freshman highlights I have ever bothered to watch.

OH...MY...GOD!

Sweet Holy Moses that kid's arm is amazing. Even if he was a Navarre-esque statue I would want that kid slinging the rock for UM. Add in his "physical intangibles" and...just...WOW!

Now I am going to be REALLY disappointed if he doesn't end up at UM. Only 2 more years until his signing day, right?

Heptarch

February 13th, 2017 at 5:46 PM ^

That's... umm... ludicrous.

That looks like a junior or senior highlight tape.  

Purely from a layman's standpoint it looks like he could use some work on his mechanics.  It seems like he relies on his arm strength instead of stepping into the throw from time to time.

But that's still awfully damn impressive.

4yearsofhoke

February 13th, 2017 at 2:34 PM ^

He's a great person to fill any offensive coaching opening of Drevno/Pep get poached. Maybe he also wants to coach his son and is familiar enough with JH to choose Michigan. Great pick up regardless.

Cranky Dave

February 13th, 2017 at 2:43 PM ^

All of the highlights but he doesn't seem like a true dual threat. Seems to have a great touch on his passes especially deep balls. the runs weremainly scrambles rather than designed runs. Very nice especially for a FR.

Hail-Storm

February 13th, 2017 at 5:17 PM ^

I watched almost 4 minutes and only saw one run, with the rest being a variety of passes from under center. Maybe later in the film he runs some read option or designed QB runs, but he seems like he is a pocket passer with some good mobility.  

It looks like he has really nice touch, and a decent arm to throw it deep past the safeties. 

ATC

February 13th, 2017 at 2:55 PM ^

Mike also played in the CFL and broke his distal tib/fib during a game against the Stampers. Happened early 1st quarter, as a result had time to go to hospital and return to stadium. After the game, the opposing quarterback (Doug Flutie) brought in a beer (freshly tapped) for Mike. I don't know if it's still like that, but at the time one of the best things about the CFL was the fresh keg rolled into locker room after games. Edit: stampers=calgary