East Central University announced the hiring of Al Johnson, for the 2018 season, as the 19th head coach for the Tiger football program history and just the fourth in the NCAA era, since 1997. In 2021-22 Johnson was promoted to Interim Athletic Director.
The 2020-21 season was cut short due to COVID restrictions, but the Tigers performed well, going 2-0. ECU defeated Southern Nazarene and then went on to defeat NCAA Division I (FCS) No. 25 Tarleton State (21-14) on the road.
In 2019 the Tiger’s success continued, with seven players earning All-Great American Conference honors. Four players earned first team honors, one second team and three honorable mention. The team finished the season strong by defeating Southeastern on the road to claim the Great American Classic trophy for the first time since 2013. ECU also earned its first GAC Sportsmanship honor.
The season was highlighted by the return of record setter, Ontario Douglas. Douglas earned Don Hansen All-America Honorable Mention, D2 CCA All-Super Region 3 Second Team and All-GAC First Team honors. For the season he recorded 18 rushing TDs, one behind the single season record at ECU. He also is ranked No. 6 on the ECU Career Rushing TDs list. Douglas also set two more career records, ranking No. 11 on the 2,000 Rushing Yards list (2,141) and No.9 on the Rushing 100-yard Games list (9).
In his first season he led the team to a 3-8 record, marking the second most victories in an ECU coaches opening season since the Tigers joined the NCAA. The team had a successful season, earning 23 top-10 Single Season Team records, including two at the top. The Tigers ranked first in Tackles Allowed (366) and Fewest Fumbles Allowed (7).
Johnson saw several players earned honors in 2018, starting with Jack Preston as a Don Hansen All-America Honorable Mention as a punter. Preston was also named to the Don Hansen and D2ADA All-Super Region 3 First Team honors and was a First Team All-Great American Conference punter.
The 2018 season also brought All-GAC honors to five others, with Trinity Benson earning first team accolades as a wide receiver and an honorable mention as a return specialist and Trey Harvey (TE), Wyatt Galante (OL) and Jamil Young (OLB) earned honorable mention honors.
He was also able to send his first Tiger to the National Football League, as Benson was selected by the Denver Broncos as an unsigned undrafted free agent.
Johnson has had a wide variety of experience as both a player and coach, working at NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III, in high school and operating his own camp. He has also seen great experience as a player on the field, playing for Wisconsin for four seasons and spending seven years as a member of the National Football League.
He started his NFL career by being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round in 2003. The offensive lineman spent three season at center for the Cowboys and helped build them back to a playoff caliber team, making two playoff appearances.
While in Dallas, Johnson met his wife, Brandy, and gained ties to Oklahoma through friends. The pair decided right after having to move, when he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2007, that they would love to return to the state to raise their family.
Johnson spent the 2007 season with the Cardinals as a starting center before being injured in 2008. After recovering, he signed with the Miami Dolphins for the remainder of the 2008 season and made a playoff appearance. He ended his professional career in 2009 with the New England Patriots.
Johnson earned his time in the NFL after being a standout at Wisconsin from 1998 to 2002. The three-time All-Big Ten selection was a Rimington Award finalist in 2000 and 2001, which is presented to the premier centers in the FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA division. The Badgers also earned two consecutive Rose Bowl championships (1999-00) during his tenure.
After his time in the NFL, Johnson started his coaching career in 2013 as a co-owner and lead offensive coach of the Al Johnson Line Camp and as the offensive coordinator at Southern Door High School. The camp was designed to develop youth and high school linemen through mentoring and overall character building and served over 1,000 kids in three years.
At Southern Door High School, he helped the team double their total offensive yards, coached five all-conference players and laid the foundation for three-straight conference championships.
Johnson then moved on to the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisc. In two seasons he helped the team to a 10-1 record, coached nine all-conference offensive players and the conference lineman of the year.
Johnson then returned to his alma mater in 2016 as an assistant coach and helped to develop the offensive line into one of the best in the nation. In 2016 the Badgers claimed the Big Ten West and Cotton Bowl championships. He has coached three All-Big Ten selections and all-American and first round NFL pick Ryan Ramczyk.
This season Wisconsin, ranked No. 6 in the nation, currently has a 12-1 overall record and finished with a 9-0 mark in the Big Ten, with the only loss coming in the Big Ten Football Championship Game. The Badgers will have one more chance to play in 2017, at they will participate in the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl (Dec. 30), in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Johnson earned a bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Sports Management in 2014 and is working on his master's degree at Wisconsin in Education and Leadership.
The Brussels, Wisc., native is married to Brandy Johnson and the couple have one son Cyrus (Coach Cy) and three daughters Skylar, Makayla and Chloe.
Bailey’s Career Coaching Record
Year School Record
2018 East Central 3-8
2019 East Central 3-8
2020-21 East Central 2-0
Total 8-16 (3 Years)
