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NEW MEXICO FOOTBALL
UNM running backs coach John Johnson expected to leave for Iowa State
Johnson would be first staffer to leave the Lobos after 2025 season
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New Mexico running backs coach John Johnson is expected to leave for the same position at Iowa State, the Journal has learned.
Johnson, in his first year with the program, oversaw a running backs room that accounted for 1,462 rushing yards and featured an All-Mountain West kick returner in Damon Bankston. He has notified head coach Jason Eck of his decision to leave UNM, the Journal learned Saturday night.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg was the first to report Johnson’s expected departure. Johnson did not immediately respond for comment when reached by the Journal.
Johnson, 40, would join Jimmy Rogers’ inaugural staff at Iowa State after the two previously worked together at South Dakota State. The former served two separate stints as the Jackrabbits’ running backs coach in 2016-17 and 2020-21 while Rogers was on staff as a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator.
Rogers was hired as Iowa State’s head coach earlier this month after Matt Campbell left to take the same job at Penn State.
A former running back at Oklahoma State and Ouachita Baptist University, Johnson has additional coaching experience at Sam Houston State, Tulsa and Oklahoma Baptist. The El Dorado, Arkansas native has also completed coaching internships with the NFL’s Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Johnson's departure would represent the first of any assistant from the Lobos' staff under Eck. UNM’s season ended Saturday with a 20-17 Rate Bowl loss to Minnesota at Chase Field in Phoenix.
