In a swift move up the coaching ladder, UCF's defensive backs coach Will Johnson is set to join the Minnesota Vikings' defensive staff, less than two months after his arrival in Orlando. This transition, initially reported by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports and confirmed by Knights247, marks a significant step in Johnson's burgeoning coaching career.
Johnson was brought on by UCF in December 2025 to fill the shoes of Brandon Harris, who left for the University of Florida after a successful stint helping the Knights' secondary achieve impressive rankings-No. 25 nationally in passing defense and No. 3 in the Big 12. Scott Frost, UCF's head coach, expressed enthusiasm about Johnson's potential, acknowledging the value of hiring promising coaches on the rise.
Now, Frost faces the challenge of finding a new defensive backs coach as spring practices loom. UCF wrapped up the 2025 season with a 5-7 record in Frost's first year back at the helm.
Johnson's brief tenure at UCF was set to be his first full-time FBS coaching role. Previously, he served as the cornerbacks coach at North Dakota State, where he contributed to the Bison's 2024 FCS national championship victory.
Under his guidance, NDSU's defense shone, allowing just 148.4 passing yards per game, ranking third in the FCS. Cornerback Jailen Duffie thrived under Johnson's mentorship, earning Second-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors.
Before his time at NDSU, Johnson honed his skills as a graduate assistant with Lincoln Riley at both Oklahoma and USC, where he worked alongside UCF's current defensive coordinator, Alex Grinch. Johnson's playing days were equally impressive, as he was a standout defensive back at Oklahoma from 2015 to 2017, before brief stints with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.
As Johnson steps into his new role with the Vikings, he joins a team that finished 9-8 last season, narrowly missing the playoffs. The Vikings' defense was formidable, allowing the second-fewest passing yards in the NFL and excelling in limiting big plays and first downs through the air. Johnson's expertise will be a valuable asset as Minnesota looks to build on their defensive prowess.