SIOUX FALLS – Luke Johnson has been named linebackers coach for the University of Sioux Falls Football Team, according to an announcement today by USF Head Coach Jon Anderson.

With experience both as a coach and a standout player, Johnson joins a USF program, which has 27 straight winning seasons. A year ago, the Cougars finished 8-3, highlighted by winning the NSIC South Division title.

"We are pleased that Coach (Luke) Johnson has joined our staff as he brings extensive defensive knowledge and experience working with linebackers. He has tremendous enthusiasm and passion for the game with a primary objective of developing student-athletes at a high level," said Anderson, who has directed USF to a pair of playoff appearances (2017, 2019), won the 2021 NSIC South Division title and compiled a 32-12 record in NSIC play. 

Johnson comes to USF from Wofford College, an FCS program where he coached outside linebackers during the 2021 season. He joined Wofford in 2020 as a defensive quality control and video coordinator before being promoted to linebackers' coach in 2021.

He will be part of a USF coaching staff, which has been perennially fielded one of the best defenses in the NSIC. Twice in the past four years, USF has led the league in scoring defense (2017, 2021) and has been in the top four all four years during Anderson's tenure. USF has been one of the league's top units in total defense, ranking top five in the NSIC all four years and top two twice. USF was fifth in the NSIC in total defense in 2021, allowing 366.8 yards per game, including just 114.4 yards rushing. In addition, USF has finished top two in pass defense twice in four years and ranked top four in rushing defense three of the four years.

Prior to coaching, Johnson played four seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He was a leader on the team, including serving as a co-captain as a senior. Johnson was the recipient of the George Chryst Award for representing leadership and attitude both on and off the field. A 2019 graduate (business administration) from Wisconsin-Platteville, he was named second team All-Conference in 2017 and was the team's Newcomer of the Year in 2016.  

A native of Milan, Illinois, Johnson graduated from Rockridge High School, where he was an All-State football player and the Three Rivers Conference Player of the Year as a senior.

USF has nine straight winning seasons in football since joining the NSIC in 2012. In addition, the program' .777 winning percentage in NSIC games is the best across the conference. USF, which has had four NCAA DII playoff appearances and five postseason berths in its DII era (since 2012), has registered seven or more wins in seven consecutive seasons and eight of nine seasons at NCAA DII. Fifty-one players have been named All-NSIC since 2017 and 123 overall since 2012. Also, USF has performed in the classroom with 93 Academic All-NSIC honorees since 2017 and 213 overall.