Dodge City Community College football has bolstered the coaching staff with the latest edition of Steven Johnson Jr. who will serve as the linebackers coach and work with special teams, under Head Coach, Terry Karg. 

Coach Karg who's in his second season leading the Conquistador football program brings in Johnson to work with linebackers a position he is quite familiar with having played the position at the NCAA Division I level playing at the University of Kansas and professionally including a stint in the NFL playing for the Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens. The Pennsylvania native comes to Dodge City after serving as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Diamond Football Academy during the 2002 season, while in 2021 he dipped into the coaching world working with the Washington Commanders during their training camp working with the linebackers and special teams. 

"I'm excited to share my knowledge of the game in a different way. At the level these guys are at I feel my knowledge can increase their abilities to make plays on the football field. I'm used to playing, but now it's time to teach what I know and help my players get to the next level," said Johnson about the opportunity to join the Conqs coaching staff. 

Johnson brings a plethora of football knowledge with him to the sidelines for the Conqs most stemming from his playing career. Out of high school, he attended Wyoming Seminary where he played for Coach Karg in 2006 amassing 62 tackles in just five games before tearing his ACL. Johnson would overcome the injury and earn a walk-on opportunity at the University of Kansas and by his junior year at KU earned a scholarship. In 2011 his senior year Johnson led the Jayhawks in tackling playing the linebacker position amassing 120 tackles to lead the team by 30 tackles. He was the Big 12 leader in tackles in 2011 and ranked 14th in the nation leading to being named the team Defensive MVP and earning All-Big 12 honors. He finished his KU career with 225 tackles, three sacks, six pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Johnson was a two-time captain at KU.

After this time at KU, he would sign as an undrafted free agent in the NFL with the Denver Broncos in 2012 and would go on to be a part of the Broncos' 2014 AFC championship team that played in Super Bowl XLVIII. He would also spend time with the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens totaling 68 career tackles in the NFL with four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Johnson earned All-Pro honors on special teams in 2013 and 2014. His professional career continued in 2019 with the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and then with the Seattle Dragons of the XFL as he was drafted in 2020 and was the XFL tackles leader that year and Seattle Dragons Team and Defensive MVP.

Johnson is eager to make an impact on the Conq football program. "I hope to impact the football program by demonstrating what it is like to truly be a professional and a master of your skill. Also, by showing each athlete on the team that their dreams are very attainable with hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit to be great. I hope to earn the respect of each athlete and build relationships that will last a lifetime," said Johnson. 

He earned his bachelor's degree from KU majoring in economics with two minors in business and sports management. As Johnson transitions into his first collegiate coaching job he has his sights set on helping the current coaching staff develop the program and put together winning seasons. 

"I want to win. I've heard a lot about how challenging the Jayhawk Conference is and I'm excited. I want to bring a championship back to Dodge City. My whole career I've had the mindset of winning and overcoming the odds in order to do so. I hope to send every one of the athletes I coach to a big-time college and teach them how to be a professional on and off the field," said Johnson. 

The Conqs are set to open the 2023 season at home on Saturday, August 26th against the defending NJCAA national champions, Iowa Western with a 1:00 pm kickoff at Memorial Stadium.