FLORENCE, Ala. (March 11, 2025) – A hall of fame linebacker is rejoining the North Alabama Football program.

On Tuesday, University of North Alabama head football coach Brent Dearmon made an addition to his coaching staff with the hire of former UNA standout Michael Johnson. Johnson was an All-American in 2008 and 2009 and won National Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 from Daktronics and D2Football.com.

Johnson was inducted into the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021.

"Michael Johnson is the definition of UNA greatness," said Dearmon. "Bringing a hall of famer back home is an awesome feeling. Mike's love for UNA and level of toughness will make us even better in all phases of our program."

After terrorizing running backs on the gridiron for many years, Johnson will now coach the position on Dearmon's staff. He replaces Kerryon Johnson, who left for another position.

A Panama City, Fla., native, Johnson was a four-year starting linebacker at North Alabama from 2006-09 and was a four-time All-Gulf South Conference, four-time All-Super Region 2 and two-time All-American for the Lions.

Chosen first-team All-American by Daktronics and second-team by D2football.com as a junior in 2008, Johnson followed with first-team All-American selections by Daktronics, D2Football.com, Football Gazette and the Associated Press as a senior in 2009. He was also voted National Defensive Player of the Year by Daktronics and D2Football.com, in addition to being named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Johnson was part of a UNA senior class that had a combined 44-7 overall record to rank as third winningest senior class in school history. The Class of 2009 was ranked nationally in the Top 11 for 54 straight weeks — every week that they were part of the UNA program. The Lions had four straight seasons with 10 or more wins and made four straight NCAA playoff appearances.

Johnson finished his career with 365 total tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.

He signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I am blessed with the opportunity to join Coach Dearmon's staff," said Johnson. "Coming back home to UNA to give back to the university and community that poured into me is an absolute dream. I'm excited about the journey and looking forward to UNA Football putting out a great product this fall. Roar Lions!"

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 


Michael Johnson during the 2021 UNA Hall of Fame on-field recognition at Braly Stadium (Joseph Romans/UNA).