Utah football: Johnson promoted to offensive coordinator

SALT LAKE CITY — Quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson is Utah's new offensive coordinator.

A source close to the program confirmed the hiring to ESPN 700's Bill Riley late Wednesday night.

The Deseret News has learned that a press release is expected to be issued early Thursday morning to formally announce Johnson's promotion.

The 24-year-old, who joined the Utah coaching staff in 2010, replaces Norm Chow as offensive coordinator. Chow left the Utes after one season to become the head coach at Hawaii.

Johnson is the winningest quarterback in Utah history, posting a 26-7 record as a starter. The Texan capped his career by leading the Utes to a 31-17 upset over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2, 2009. He was named the game's Most Outstanding Player after completing 27-of-41 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns.

Johnson was also named Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year as Utah posted a 13-0 record, the best in school history. In 2007, he earned MVP recognition in the Poinsettia Bowl. At age 17, as a true freshman, Johnson was Heisman Trophy finalist Alex Smith's backup on the Utes' 12-0 Fiesta Bowl championship team.

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