REDLANDS, Calif. — The University of Redlands football program is pleased to announce the addition of Jamar Johnson as Assistant Football Coach. A Southern California native from Los Angeles/Anaheim and a decorated wide receivers specialist, Johnson arrives with a proven track record of player development at every level of collegiate football — from junior college to Division I FCS.

Johnson most recently served as Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Truman State University (March 2025–Present), where in his very first season he helped the Bulldogs earn their first postseason playoff berth in 31 years and coached three All-Conference honorees. Prior to Truman State, he spent nearly four years (July 2021–March 2025) as Wide Receivers Coach and Transfer Portal Coordinator at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), one of the nation's premier FCS programs.

"We are ecstatic that Coach Johnson has joined our Redlands family," said University of Redlands Athletics Head Coach Football Coach Jim Good. "His expertise at the receiver position, combined with his passion for recruiting, teaching, and developing players both on and off the field, will make an immediate and lasting impact on our program."

A Proven Developer of NFL Talent
During his tenure at UCA, Johnson mentored Malachi Henry — a converted defensive back — into a 2024 All-American and Jerry Rice Award Finalist as a redshirt freshman. He also played a key role in developing Tyler Hudson, who earned All-Southland, All-ASUN, and All-ACC recognition after transferring to Louisville and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. Additionally, Johnson helped shape the careers of ShunDerrick Powell (2024 Walter Payton Award Finalist), David Walker (2025 NFL Draft / Reese's Senior Bowl selection), and Lujuan Winningham (2021 Hula Bowl / Jacksonville Jaguars selection).

Johnson's professional development experience extends beyond the college game. In the summer of 2022, he was selected as a Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellow with the Los Angeles Rams, working directly with then-Associate Head Coach Thomas Brown on all aspects of offensive coaching and operations.

Elite Recruiter with National Reach
Johnson is an accomplished recruiter with ties throughout California, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois. At UCA, he played a major role in building the program's 2022 recruiting class, which ranked #1 in the ASUN Conference and fourth nationally, and included athletes who had previously played in the Pac-12 and SEC. Earlier in his career at Iowa Western Community College, he oversaw a 2019 recruiting class ranked #1 in the nation — headlined by the country's top JUCO prospect.

A Coaching Career Built from the Ground Up
Before his work at the FCS level, Johnson built a strong foundation in the JUCO ranks as Wide Receivers Coach, JV Head Coach, and National Recruiting Coordinator at Iowa Western Community College (Dec. 2018–July 2021), where the Reivers captured the Graphic Bowl Championship and achieved a top-five national ranking. He also served as Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Dodge City Community College and, in December 2018, stepped in as Interim Head Coach.

Johnson began his full-time collegiate coaching career at San Jose State University (Feb. 2016–Jan. 2018) as a Graduate Assistant Offensive Skill Coach, helping develop future NFL tight end Josh Oliver, who was selected 69th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. His coaching roots trace back to his alma mater, the University of La Verne, where he was recognized as the 2015 SCIAC Wide Receivers Coach of the Year after guiding the Leopards to their first winning season in a decade and an undefeated SCIAC record.

Off campus, Johnson has served as a Wide Receivers Development Coach with "Armed & Dangerous Football" — the nation's premier quarterback and receiver training program — since 2009, working under CEO Steve Calhoun to prepare NFL draftees including Sterling Shepard, Corey Coleman, and Tajae Sharpe.

Education
Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (2014) and a Master of Science in Leadership & Management (2016) from the University of La Verne, where he was a four-year starter at wide receiver and earned the prestigious Leopard Senior Blanket Award. He also earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Education (2017) from San Jose State University. In 2024, he was selected as one of just 25 coaches nationwide to participate in the NFL/NCAA Coaches Academy.

"For me personally, being able to able join the staff here at the University of Redlands means getting back to my SCIAC roots where my journey as both a ULV player and coach all started over a decade ago!" Johnson stated.  "Even from years ago, it was always understood that Redlands was known to be a well respected premier program with a rich history of overall success, one that always had a target on its back as a top program to beat. Ironically, for me to now to have the opportunity to be a part of a historical powerhouse such as Redlands means a great deal that I don't take lightly! Fired up to join the Bulldog Nation!"