Should the Carolina Panthers pursue Brian Johnson as OC in 2023?

Brian Johnson’s early college days

Currently holding the title of quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, Brian Johnson has been on a meteoric rise to the top tier of assistant coaches in the entire NFL. You’d be hard-pressed to find an executive or member of the coaching world that didn’t cosign the seemingly unlimited promise that he’s already displayed, with his coaching foundation forming even before his playing days ended.

Johnson played quarterback for Utah from 2004-08. In his first year, he served as the backup to eventual NFL starting quarterback Alex Smith and was coached by Urban Meyer.

Meyer clearly isn’t held in high regard as an NFL coach, but there’s no denying his success and teaching abilities when it comes to the college game and sharpening players’ skill sets. I’ll leave it there, however, as I’ve already said his name twice and the last thing the Carolina Panthers need is for me to summon a college coach Candyman situation when we’re finally moving in the right direction.

After his notable playing career, Johnson was brought back to Utah after being hired as quarterbacks coach in 2010. He was promoted to the offensive coordinator post just two years later.

Johnson worked as quarterbacks coach and/or offensive coordinator at each of his collegiate stops, which included Mississippi State, Houston, and Florida. His stint with the Gators was also a barrier-breaking tenure, becoming the first African American offensive coordinator in program history.

Dan Mullen was the head coach of Mississippi State when he recruited Johnson to join his staff in 2014. He was impressed enough with the coach’s ability to seek him out once again to join Florida. Also worth noting about his time with the Bulldogs was his development of Dak Prescott.