Penn State and Gov. Mifflin grad Jan Johnson enjoys coaching at Virginia Tech

Jan Johnson was an accomplished athlete, a two-time PIAA wrestling champion for Gov. Mifflin and a two-year starter at middle linebacker for Penn State.

He was committed and dedicated to be the best. He thought he spent a lot of time conditioning and practicing until he joined the Virginia Tech football coaching staff.

“You have to plan every little detail for just about everything,” Johnson said. “You’re trying to do a thousand things at a time. You just respect all the people who throughout your life in little league, high school and college put in all of that time for you to help you reach your dreams.”

He’s hoping to do the same at Virginia Tech, where last month he was promoted to assistant defensive line coach. He spent the 2022 season as a defensive analyst and last year as a graduate assistant.

His position became full time earlier this month when the NCAA lifted its limit on the number of assistant coaches. He works for Hokies head coach Brent Pry, the former Penn State defensive coordinator and linebacker coach who has been a mentor.

“He’s treated me tremendously,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better situation than the one I’m in.”

Pry often spoke glowingly about Johnson when they were at Penn State. He called him one of the brightest players he’s ever coached, so it was no surprise that he asked him to join his staff at Virginia Tech.

“Jan has done a great job for us,” Pry said. “He’s really grown as a coach and is beginning to understand the profession and its demands. He’s always been very intelligent and hard-working. I feel very fortunate to have him on the staff.”

The Hokies have high expectations in Pry’s third season. They return 20 starters from the team that won six of its final nine games last year. They open Saturday at Vanderbilt.

“We have a group of guys who believe in what we’ve done as coaches and believe in the university,” Johnson said. “They love being here in Blacksburg. It’s great to have that culture within our program. I’m excited to go out there and help them compete.”

Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Duke transfer Aeneas Pebbles are a formidable combination at defensive tackle. Powell-Ryland had 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks last season, and Pebbles was an all-conference pick.

Johnson works with defensive line coach J.C. Price, a former Virginia Tech player.

“Coach Pry told me it was really important if I want to be a defensive coordinator or a head coach one day to learn about the front and how the whole defense works behind that,” Johnson said. “He thought it would be a really good spot for me to learn.”

Joining the Hokies staff two years ago was an eye-opening experience for Johnson, who said he “didn’t know how to do anything” before he arrived.

“Playing linebacker, you know where the D-line is supposed to be and supposed to go,” he said. “But you don’t know how they’re supposed to get there or what their techniques are. And how intricate another position can be.

“You play linebacker and you learn all the techniques and all the keys and what to look for as a second-level defender. Up front, it all happens so fast. It’s just cool to learn another position and how much detail is really in the play.”

Johnson pursued a playing career in the NFL until the Tennessee Titans cut him from their practice squad in 2021. He has two degrees from Penn State, a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in management and organizational leadership.

He’s not sure if he wants to make coaching a lifetime career.

“I haven’t decided yet,” he said. “I definitely enjoy it. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve experienced so far with it. I’m interested to see where it takes me and what happens next. I’m also excited to be here for this season with these guys.”