Cajuns’ OC Johnson Headed to Minnesota

Jay Johnson is headed home.

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns' offensive coordinator for the last five seasons, Johnson has accepted a similar position at the University of Minnesota.

Johnson is a native of Lakeville, Minnesota.

In five seasons under Johnson’s tutelage, the Cajuns posted some of the top offensive performances in school history, including school records for total offense (5,914) and points (461) in 2012. Behind a stellar performance from sophomore running back Elijah McGuire, Louisiana finished 22nd nationally in rushing offense in 2014, averaging 225.9 yards per game during the 2014 season.

The Ragin' Cajuns were also efficient in the red zone, scoring at a 91.2 percent clip and finishing 10th nationally among FBS teams.

Under Johnson’s guidance in 2013, the Cajuns set school-records for total first downs (283) and total plays from scrimmage (883). The Cajuns produced four first-team All-Conference selections, paced by the running back tandem of Alonzo Harris and McGuire.

Terrance Broadway led all league starting quarterbacks in passing efficiency while completing 62 percent of his passes for 2,419 yards and 19 touchdowns.

In 2011, Blaine Gautier emerged as one of the top offensive threats in the south, throwing for a school record 2,958 yards and 23 touchdowns.  In 2012, Broadway replaced Gautier and set a new school record for total offense (3,611).

Before coming to Louisiana, Johnson spent one season at Central Michigan (2010) and was at Louisville from 2008-09.

Johnson was at Southern Miss for five years (2003-07), working with the tight ends (2003), running backs (2004) and three as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2005-07) under head coach Jeff Bower.

While at USM, the Golden Eagles established a school record for total offense in 2007 with 5,066, eclipsing the 5,000-yard plateau for the first time in school history.

He is the first member of Hudspeth's offensive staff to leave the university since the Cajuns' head coach first announced his staff.

(information from ragincajuns.com contributed to this story