The former offensive line coach and almost Division II head coach is still working the whistle, though it requires an invitation. Johnson was in Kentucky at Fairview High football practice late last week and helping a former Marshall pupil mold his team.

Ever the optimist, Johnson highlighted a positive relative to his situation.

Johnson was under Bob Pruitt at Marshall from 1997-2000 as the recruiting coordinator, tight ends coach and offensive tackle coach. He then worked at Georgia, under Mark Richt, as the Bulldogs’ tight ends coach from 2001-07. Most recently, he spent 2008-10 as the offensive line coach at West Virginia, where he played from 1979-83.

Currently, Johnson is traveling allegiantly as part of the National Football Academies, a group that makes stops at several football camps across the country.

“If I was in college coaching right now, I wouldn’t be allowed to do this,” Johnson said. “This has given me the ability to continue to do some things while I’m waiting to see whether or not I’ll get back into college coaching.”Johnson had originally planned on visiting Fairview this past spring, but he winded up having an opening in July. McPeek constantly keeps in contact with Johnson, and gladly welcomed his former coach to Fairview.

“He’s such a great guy to come here for three days with his busy schedule,” McPeek said. “He talked to our guys about taking care of the little things.

“You don’t have to bench 300 pounds to be on time, you don’t have to squat 500 pounds to be a good teammate,” McPeek recited some of Johnson’s points in practice. “I think our kids got a lot out of it.”