Football
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant/Defense
- Email:
- football@msu.edu
- Phone Number:
- 355-1647
Former Spartan defensive back Jesse Johnson is in his third season on the staff at Michigan State, his first as a full-time defensive analyst. He spent two seasons (2017-18) serving as a graduate assistant before getting promoted to a full-time position in 2019. Johnson assisted coaching the defensive backs during his time as a GA.
Johnson arrived to MSU from Central Michigan, where he served as the on-campus recruiting coordinator in 2016 for the Chippewas. In addition, he spent time as a graduate assistant coach at CMU working with the defensive line and defensive backs, as well as assisting special teams, for two seasons (2013-14). During his time in Mount Pleasant, Johnson worked two bowl games (2014 Bahamas, 2016 Miami Beach).
Johnson was a graduate assistant for one season at Syracuse (2015), where he worked with the defensive line. He worked as a defensive/special teams quality control coach at The Citadel in 2012.
A four-year letterwinner (2007-10) for the Spartans under Mark Dantonio, Johnson played in 46 games during his career and earned a scholarship prior to the 2010 season. He saw action in all 13 games during MSU’s Big Ten Championship season in 2010 as a senior.
A native of Durand, Michigan, Johnson was a standout at Durand High School, graduating as the school’s all-time record holder in tackles and interceptions.