Johnson graduated from East Side High School in Cleveland, MS in 1992, where he was an all-district and all-state athlete, earning a scholarship to Alcorn State University. Johnson later graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education. He then received his Master of Education from Delta State University in the fall of 2010.  

After college, Johnson played semi-pro football with the Lake County Chiefs and arena football with the Jacksonville Tomcats.

Johnson, who has been coaching for over 20 years, has led teams to win seven championships and has received 13 coach of the year awards.

Before making his way to MDCC, Johnson served as the director of operations and head football coach at Hollandale Simmons High School. 

In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Johnson spent 11 years serving in the United States Navy as a Leading Petty Officer.

Johnson is married to Matoschia Johnson, and the couple are the proud parents of five children; Laqwesha Hill (31), Tiasha Jones (29), Ramona Jones (27), Tavares Johnson, Jr. (26) and TreShun Johnson (18).