Denver Johnson joins the Lindenwood football staff for his fifth season in 2024, and serves as the offensive line coach.
During the 2023 season, Johnson saw four players earn all-conference honors, while the Lions compiled six weekly accolades over the course of the year. Academically, Gareth Warren was tabbed to the Big South-OVC Association All-Academic Team, while Ethan Johson was tabbed to the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team.
In its first NCAA Division I season, the Lions went 7-3 record, including a 4-1 mark inside Hunter Stadium. Lindenwood picked up a thrilling 21-20 road win over Houston Baptist, as they blocked a punt with 28 seconds left, which was recovered in the end zone for a game-winning score. Lindenwood earned another road victory on October 8 in a 52-49 win over Central Arkansas, which was the start of a four-game winning streak. During that stretch, Lindenwood earned its fist win inside conference play after defeating Murray State in week six. The Lions received votes in the FCS weekly poll on three different occasions during the year. The Lions accumulated 10 all-conference selections and nine OVC weekly accolades, while Kobe McClendon was named a Stats Perform FCS Freshman All-American after an impressive 2022 campaign.
In 2021, the Lions won their second-consecutive GLVC Championship with another perfect season in league play. Lindenwood closed out the season with a 9-3 record, while going 7-0 in the conference. Robert Giaimo was named the GLVC Freshman of the Year as a running back. The Lions accumulated 21 all-conference selections, including 10 on the offensive-side of the ball. Lindenwood earned its second appearance in the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs for the second time since joining the NCAA. Academically, the Lions compiled three CoSIDA Academic All-District selections, while two moved on to earn Academic All-American accolades.
In week three of the season, the Lions tied the program record for most rushing touchdowns in a game with eight. Cade Brister ran the ball in five times, which was the most by an individual in 16 years. Lindenwood went into Kirksville, Mo. to upset No. 18 Truman State with the help of three rushing scores from Robert Giaimo. Lindenwood capped of the regular season with a win over McKendree, marking 14-consecutive wins for the Lions in the conference.
In the summer of 2020, Lindenwood earned a ranking of No. 13 in the Street and Smith Preseason Poll, while receiving the No. 17 spot in the LINDY'S Sports Preseason Poll. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the 2020 season was delayed. On October 6, 2020, the GLVC Council of Presidents voted to move the season into the spring semester, which featured a shortened schedule. On March 18, 2021, the Lindenwood football program opted out of the spring season out of concern for the health and well-being of the student-athletes.
Johnson comes to Lindenwood after spending four years as the head coach at Missouri Southern State. Prior to his time in Joplin, Mo., Johnson was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach at the University of Tulsa from 2011-14. Heading into the 2014 season, Johnson was named the offensive coordinator. In his first season with the Golden Hurricanes, the offense ranked 33rd in the country in sacks allowed and 35th in the country in tackles for loss allowed. In 2012, the Golden Hurricanes ranked fourth in the nation in sacks allowed and 21st in the country in tackles for loss allowed. Johnson was named the 2012 Merv Johnson Integrity in Coaching Award winner.
Johnson served as the offensive line coach at the University of Colorado from 2009-11. From 2009-10, Johnson helped the offense rise 66 spots in the NCAA statistical category for fewest sacks allowed. In the 2011 NFL Draft, former Buffs offensive lineman Nate Solder was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round. Johnson spent 10 years as the head coach at Illinois State from 2000-2009. In 2006, the Illinois State football team went 9-4, the second-most wins in school history. During his tenure at ISU, Johnson coached 34 All-Americans, 62 first-team all MVC honorees, and garnered the MVC Defensive Player of the year for five-straight seasons. Johnson helped guide the Redbirds to 28 school records on the offensive side of the ball.
Johnson began his head coaching experience at Murray State University for three seasons. While at Murray State, Johnson posted a 7-4 record in each of his three seasons, and garnered the 15th-best offense in FCS in the total offensive yards category in 1998. In his final season, Murray State was a top-25 offense in both total offense and rushing offense. Johnson made stops at the University of Oklahoma (1996), Mississippi State University (1993-95), Oklahoma State University (1989-92), and the University of Tennessee-Martin (1986-88) as the offensive line coach. Johnson started his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Oklahoma State University.
Johnson had a successful playing career, as he was an all-MVC selection as an offensive lineman at the University of Tulsa. Johnson was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the eighth round of the 1981 NFL draft. Johnson spent two seasons in Tampa Bay, before moving on to the USFL for two seasons, one with the Los Angeles Express and one with the Houston Gamblers.
A graduate from the University of Tulsa in 1981, Johnson holds a bachelors degree in business management. Johnson and his wife Danita have two daughters, Taylor and Kelsey.
