WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Heading into the start of spring practice, Purdue Football head coach Ryan Walters announced the addition of Marcus Johnson as the Boilermakers' new offensive line coach. After spending the past three seasons at Missouri, including two as assistant head coach and run game coordinator, Johnson joins Walters' staff ahead of the 2023 season.
Walters and Johnson previously crossed paths at Missouri during the 2020 campaign when Walters was defensive coordinator and Johnson served as offensive line coach for the Tigers.
"It is exciting to be reunited with Marcus and bring him here to Purdue," said Walters. "Marcus is a bulldog on the recruiting trail and commands attention as a coach. His experience as a player and now as a coach will immediately help our guys in the offensive line room. Marcus' character aligns with our program's core values."
Johnson has seven years of experience as an offensive line coach with previous stops at Duke (2016-17), Mississippi State (2018-19) and Missouri (2020-22).
With Johnson as run game coordinator last season, Mizzou's offense rushed for 158.7 yards per game and 19 touchdowns. For the first time since 2018, the ground game featured three 400-yard rushers (Cody Schrader with 692 yards, Brady Cook with 547 yards, Nathaniel Peat with 400 yards). The 2021 season saw Tyler Badie set a new school record for single-season rushing yards (1,604). His 14 touchdowns in 12 games were good for ninth on Missouri's single season and Top 10 list. Badie was drafted 196th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft to the Baltimore Ravens.
During his time at Mississippi State, Johnson's offensive line paved the way for First Team All-SEC running back Kylin Hill to rank second in the league and 16th nationally with 1,350 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while the Bulldogs' rushing attack ranked third in the SEC and 21st nationally, averaging 220.6 yards per game in 2019. Johnson's first season at MSU was also a successful one as his line helped the offense rank second in the SEC in both rushing yards per game (223.6) and yards per rush (5.7). Anchored by center Elgton Jenkins, the 44th overall pick by Green Bay in the 2019 NFL Draft, the offensive line helped MSU rush for 300 or more yards in an SEC-best four games.
Johnson began his career at Duke, serving as an assistant strength and conditioning coach (2011-12) before moving to offensive quality control coach (2013-15). Prior to the 2016 season, Johnson was elevated to become the Blue Devils' o-line coach.
An All-SEC offensive lineman at Ole Miss, Johnson was selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He spent four seasons in Minnesota before splitting 2009 between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders.
Johnson joins Purdue just in time, as the Boilermakers begin spring practice Tuesday evening (March 21). The practices are the first under Walters and the new staff, with 15 throughout the next month.
Season tickets for the 2023 Purdue Football season are on sale now.
Walters and Johnson previously crossed paths at Missouri during the 2020 campaign when Walters was defensive coordinator and Johnson served as offensive line coach for the Tigers.
"It is exciting to be reunited with Marcus and bring him here to Purdue," said Walters. "Marcus is a bulldog on the recruiting trail and commands attention as a coach. His experience as a player and now as a coach will immediately help our guys in the offensive line room. Marcus' character aligns with our program's core values."
Johnson has seven years of experience as an offensive line coach with previous stops at Duke (2016-17), Mississippi State (2018-19) and Missouri (2020-22).
With Johnson as run game coordinator last season, Mizzou's offense rushed for 158.7 yards per game and 19 touchdowns. For the first time since 2018, the ground game featured three 400-yard rushers (Cody Schrader with 692 yards, Brady Cook with 547 yards, Nathaniel Peat with 400 yards). The 2021 season saw Tyler Badie set a new school record for single-season rushing yards (1,604). His 14 touchdowns in 12 games were good for ninth on Missouri's single season and Top 10 list. Badie was drafted 196th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft to the Baltimore Ravens.
During his time at Mississippi State, Johnson's offensive line paved the way for First Team All-SEC running back Kylin Hill to rank second in the league and 16th nationally with 1,350 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while the Bulldogs' rushing attack ranked third in the SEC and 21st nationally, averaging 220.6 yards per game in 2019. Johnson's first season at MSU was also a successful one as his line helped the offense rank second in the SEC in both rushing yards per game (223.6) and yards per rush (5.7). Anchored by center Elgton Jenkins, the 44th overall pick by Green Bay in the 2019 NFL Draft, the offensive line helped MSU rush for 300 or more yards in an SEC-best four games.
Johnson began his career at Duke, serving as an assistant strength and conditioning coach (2011-12) before moving to offensive quality control coach (2013-15). Prior to the 2016 season, Johnson was elevated to become the Blue Devils' o-line coach.
An All-SEC offensive lineman at Ole Miss, Johnson was selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He spent four seasons in Minnesota before splitting 2009 between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders.
Johnson joins Purdue just in time, as the Boilermakers begin spring practice Tuesday evening (March 21). The practices are the first under Walters and the new staff, with 15 throughout the next month.
Season tickets for the 2023 Purdue Football season are on sale now.