WEED – Erik Johnson has been named the new Weed Cougars varsity football head coach. Johnson served as the Cougar junior varsity coach last season.

Johnson was the Defensive Coordinator for the Mt. Shasta Bears’ section championship team in 2006 (9-1). During the regular season Johnson’s defense tallied 23 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries. Johnson also spent three years as an assistant coach with the Bear JVs.

Johnson has wasted no time in assembling his staff. His offensive coordinator will be Thomas Covington. Covington will also work with the quarterbacks and defensive backs. Sean Harker will coach the running backs, receivers, and linebackers. Johnson will handle the offensive and defensive lines himself.

Dave Toms is the new JV coach and offensive coordinator, with Martin Nicolas running the defense.

Growing up in Seal Beach, California, Johnson played football at Los Alamitos High School. He also spent several years playing in a seven-man, all-pass, flag football league. As it turned out, “flag football” didn’t mean there was no hitting.

“I thought going into it ‘huh, flag football, no prob.’ Two concussions, a hyper-extended knee, a couple of deep bone bruises, and a few broken fingers later, I realized it was the real deal—just no pads,” said Johnson. “Guys were coming out of college to play.  We even had a couple of off season pros come out and blow by people.”

Johnson, a former lineman, credits his experience in the league for expanding his knowledge of the game

“Overall it was a great experience and it showed me the part of the game that was always going on behind me while I was pushin’ and shuvin’ up front. I was hangin’ out with DBs and linebackers, and just started asking questions about coverages and calls. They were more than happy to share and teach me a lot of packages and schemes,” said Johnson.

Johnson recently shared his thoughts with Siskiyou Youth on football and life philosophy, as well as goals for his team this season.

Offense

“I want to keep it simple with the opportunity to expand when we need to. Run some basic stuff out of some different looks. Don’t get me wrong, I still like to see the ball in the air and I think we are gonna have the personnel to do it. The old coaches’ standard, if you can get four yards a down you can control the ball and the clock. We still have to assess personnel but we are off to a good start.”

Defense

“I love a swarming, aggressive, field position kind of philosophy. Eleven hats to the ball, create turnovers in the other team’s end, and give your offense the opportunity on a short field. If you can do this out of multiple looks, you will have success at the high school level.”

Off season goals

“Our off season goals right now are to build the program, both varsity and JV, to about 50 kids. We got ‘em in the hallways, now we have to get them on the field. To get them to maintain a consistent year round weightlifting program if they are not playing other sports.”

Season goals

“For the season, we want to win the division and make the playoffs. To teach them how to be good teammates to each other. To learn how to handle and overcome adversity as a group, not a bunch of athletic individuals. To implement a study hall program (after school/before practice) to maintain their grades and develop better study habits. Most of all, we need to put a good solid product on the field and get people excited about football in Weed again, and fill up the stands on Friday nights.”

Long term goals

“To build a good solid base for players to come in and play small town football.  For most of these kids, these four years are going to be it for football and the sooner we can get them and their parents to buy into what we are doing, the quicker and easier the transition is going to be. By doing this, we can create a program to teach them about the skills they are going to need in life when they have to work with others as a team or company.”

Team goals

“They need to learn that to be successful as a group. They have to do their job and not worry about what the other guy is doing. They may need to know what he is doing but trust him enough to do his job. To take care of each other, both on and off the field.  To create a family type environment that is really unique to the sporting world. Guys will remember these experiences forever and pass them on to their kids or players if they are crazy enough to coach.  That’s why sports are a great metaphor for life.”