ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington University Football head Coach Chris Fisk is pleased to announce the hiring of Nate Johnson as the Wildcats' new Defensive Coordinator.

"Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat! We're excited to bring one of our own back," Coach Fisk said. "Nate was a coach here [at CWU] during an incredibly successful time defensively, and we're hoping he can restore Central back to playing dominating defense like we're accustom to. We're excited to see what the Nate Johnson era will bring."

Johnson is no stranger to the Ellensburg area and Wildcats Football having been the Safeties Coach for CWU for three seasons (2015-17). He returns to Central after spending the 2019 season with NCAA Division I-FCS school Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

"I was honored to be considered by Coach Fisk and am extremely appreciative of him and Dr. Dennis Francois for extending the opportunity," Coach Johnson said. "My wife, Liv, and I are excited to be back in Washington, and we look forward to helping get CWU Football back on the national stage."

During his one season with SFA, Johnson oversaw the safeties group. He helped guide a secondary that pulled down a combined 10 interceptions on the year and had 33 pass breakups. Prior to his stop in Nacogdoches, Johnson was at Division II member at Minnesota-Duluth.
 
During his lone season at Minnesota-Duluth in 2018, Coach Johnson helped the Bulldogs to an unblemished 11-0 regular season, a perfect 7-0 conference record, a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) co-championship and a spot in the Division II playoffs. Working with four All-NSIC selections and an all-region pick, Johnson's secondary led the league in pass defense by holding opponents to a mere 146.5 yards per game through the air and a completion percentage of only 41.9. With the assistance of the secondary unit, Minnesota-Duluth was tops in the NSIC in both scoring defense (12.4 PPG) and total defense (205.4 YPG).
 
Under the tutelage of Johnson, the Bulldogs were able to pick off 11 passes and break up another 46 as senior safety Sam Lynch garnered Don Hansen All-Super Region Four Second Team honors after being named All-NSIC North Division First Team. Lynch claimed 49 total tackles on the year, including 34 solo stops, made a pair of interceptions and broke up a team-best 11 passes. Senior cornerback Tareq Abulebbehwas also tabbed All-NSIC North Division First Team after recording a team-high five interceptions to go along with 23 tackles and four pass breakups. Both junior free safety Bill Atkins and sophomore cornerback Michael Kirkendoll earned All-NSIC North Division Second Team plaudits.
 
Prior to his time at Minnesota-Duluth, Johnson supervised the safeties for three seasons (2015-17) at Central Washington. During Johnson's final season at Central Washington in 2017, the Wildcats posted a 11-0 regular season record, captured the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship and secured the Super Region Four's No. 1 seed in the NCAA II playoffs. While coaching at Central Washington, Johnson helped produce five All-GNAC honorees and one D2CCAAll-Region pick, Jackson Huerta, as Central Washington went 23-9 overall.
 
Before joining the Wildcat staff, Johnson coached for three seasons (2012-14) at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, where he was the defensive backs coach. Johnson got his start in the collegiate coaching profession at his alma mater, St. Cloud State, taking on a graduate assistant (wide receivers) role from 2009-11. In Johnson's final year in St. Cloud in 2011, the Huskies were Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference co-champions and qualified for the NCAA II playoffs for the second-straight season.
 
A native of Austin, Minnesota, Johnson culminated his four-year playing career at St. Cloud State in 2008 by attaining All-NSIC status as a second-team wide receiver. In addition to lettering in football, Johnson competed for four seasons on the baseball diamond.
 
Johnson graduated from St. Cloud State in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in English studies and is currently working on his master's degree in sport management. He is married to Livja.
 
The Johnson File
Hometown: Austin, Minn.
High School: Austin
College: St. Cloud State (2010)
Playing Experience: St. Cloud State (four-year letter winner in both football and baseball, earned all-conference honors at wide receiver)
Family: Livja (wife)
 
Coaching Experience
2019: SFA | Safeties
2018: Minnesota-Duluth | Defensive Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator
2015-17: Central Washington | Safeties
2012-14: Gustavus Adolphus College | Defensive Backs
2009-11: St. Cloud State | Graduate Assistant (Wide Receivers)