University of Maryland Athletics

Craig Johnson, who coached alongside Ron Vanderlinden during the resurgence of Northwestern's football program, is in his third season as the Terps' quarterbacks coach.

A former starting quarterback at the University of Wyoming, Johnson in 1997 tutored Brian Cummings, whose completion percentage (60.4%) was the seventh-best in University of Maryland history. At Northwestern, he oversaw the Wildcat quarterbacks for five seasons, including quarterback Steve Schnur, who was the Big Ten's pass efficiency champion in 1996, and Len Williams, who finished his career as the fifth-leading passer in conference history. All told, he coached three Wildcat quarterbacks to All-Big Ten honors in five seasons.

Johnson has coached on four teams that advanced to bowl games, including Northwestern squads that played in the 1996 Rose and 1997 Citrus bowls. He also coached in the 1985 Peach Bowl while at Army and the 1984 Liberty Bowl while at Arkansas.

Prior to his stint at Northwestern, Johnson served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for three seasons (1989-91) at Virginia Military Institute. During that time, the VMI offense ranked fifth nationally in total offense in 1990 and first nationally in rushing offense in 1991. VMI's quarterback, Tony Scales, ended his career as the second-leading rusher among quarterbacks in Division I-AA history.

Johnson entered the collegiate coaching ranks as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Wyoming, in 1983. After one season on the Cowboys' staff, he joined Arkansas' program as a graduate assistant in 1984, when the Razorbacks played in the Liberty Bowl. In 1985, he was a part-time assistant running backs coach at Army. Johnson then moved on to Rutgers, where he served as running backs coach for three seasons (1986-88).

Johnson was a three-year letterwinner as a quarterback at Wyoming, throwing for more than 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns in a starting role his senior season of 1982.

Johnson, 39, and his wife, Darlene, have two daughters, Shelby and Sydney.

Coaching History

1997  Citrus Bowl
1996  Rose Bowl
1985  Peach Bowl
1984  Liberty Bowl

Craig Johnson Hometown: Aurora, Colo. Position: Quarterbacks Birthdate: 03/03/1960 Year at Maryland: 3rd