Yellow Jackets Welcome Jovon Johnson to the Football Coaching Staff

DEFIANCE, OHIO – The Defiance College football team welcomes assistant coach Jovon Johnson to the coaching staff. Coach Johnson will serve as the defensive backs coach.

"When I was at the American Football Coaches Association Convention in San Antonio I spoke with Jovon and he expressed an interest in coaching after retiring from an outstanding career in the CFL," stated head coach Manny Matsakis. "Jovon was one of our best players when I coached with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and his leadership on and off the field was exemplary. As we continued to stay in contact, I was certain that Jovon was exactly what we needed to complete our coaching staff and help us build a championship caliber program at Defiance College. Our staff is genuinely excited to have a man of his character join the Yellow Jackets." 

Johnson comes to Defiance after an impressive playing career in the Canadian Football League. The Pennsylvania native, spent the past two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders competing as a defensive back. Johnson also spent two seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks before spending a season with the Montreal Alouettes from 2016 to 2017. While with the Redblacks, Johnson was named to the Canadian Football League All-Star Team for the fifth time in his career earning honors during the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015 seasons.

The defensive back signed with the Canadian football league in 2007 joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he won the Grey Cup before moving the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2008. While with the Blue Bombers, he was a four year CFL All-Star selection and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.

Johnson got his start in the professional football in 2006 spending two seasons in the National Football League.

The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Inductee played his college ball at the University of Iowa where he earned First Team All-Big Ten honors in each of his four seasons. Jovon earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Sports Administration with a double major in African American Studies, being named Academic All-Big Ten.