Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson’s jersey retired at Humble High School

HOUSTON – Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson was honored Friday at a pep rally at his alma mater with his jersey retired at Humble High School.

The former Texas A&M and NFL quarterback, position coach for Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud, was honored in the Wildcats’ gymnasium named for his father, Larry Johnson. Johnson was the school’s principal and died in 2007.

THANKS @FootballHumble“, Johnson wrote on social media. “A day my family and I will never forget.

At Humble, Johnson was named the Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year. His jersey was retired along with former Humble and NFL players Bertrand Berry, Sammy Davis, Jackie Battle, David Boston and David Givens.

Johnson remained with the AFC South champions on an improved contract that includes a significant raise after interviewing for multiple offensive coordinator jobs this offseason, league sources said.

The lure of staying with the Texans and continuing to coach star quarterback C.J. Stroud and continue building with his hometown team was a powerful force for Johnson.

Johnson interviewed in person for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator position, league sources say.

According to a league source, Johnson interviewed twice with the New Orleans Saints for their vacant offensive coordinator position.

Johnson interviewed virtually Monday with the Saints and in person with the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles in addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, sources said.

Johnson quickly became one of the league’s most promising offensive coordinator candidates before staying with the Texans.

Johnson is highly regarded for his work with Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, a front-runner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud has consistently spoken highly of Johnson and cited their strong relationship that dates back to their time together with Elite 11 when he was in high school.

Stroud, the second overall pick and two-time Heisman Trophy finalist out of Ohio State, credits Johnson as instrumental in his growth as a quarterback because they began working together when the Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native was 16.

“One thing I can say about Jerrod is you’re talking about a guy who knows how to play quarterback and knows how to relay something, but he’s also a great person, man,” Stroud said. “A guy who loves football, he loves Houston, he loves Texas. He loves his family, he’s a great family man. Someone who taught me a ton of information, but on top of that, he also gave me a lot of confidence.”

At the time, Stroud wasn’t as well known as a quarterback and was looking to establish himself as a rookie. He ended up outperforming his friend, Carolina Panthers quarterback and first overall pick Bryce Young. Johnson encouraged Stroud to believe in himself.

“Jerrod always told me, ‘Be confident in yourself,’” Stroud said. “At that point, I wasn’t really the best recruit. I wasn’t who I was going to be. Jerrod is someone I looked up to. When he told me, ‘Man, you need to be more confident,’ it changed my life. From there, I’m with him now for my first year. It’s been a blessing to work with him and no matter what happens, I’m excited for him, and he deserves everything that’s coming his way. I’m really happy to be able to work with him.”

Stroud became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game, surpassing his childhood idol, Michael Vick. He began his career with an NFL record 191 passes without an interception, finished the season with 198 passes without an interception, and finished with 4,108 regular-season yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Stroud joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to lead the league in passing yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio.

“Yeah, you can’t talk about CJ’s success without talking about Jerrod, what he’s been able to do, the relationship he’s had with him,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Just being there for him as a position coach. Teaching him, guiding him along the way — Jerrod is one of the reasons CJ has had a successful year.”

A former Texas A&M quarterback who also played for the Aggies basketball team, Johnson seized his opportunity as a graduate coach at Humble High School for his hometown team.

“I consider myself a teacher,” Johnson told KPRC 2 earlier this season. “What I care about the most is wanting to teach. No matter what the players in the room need, from Case Keenum to Davis Mills to CJ, whatever I can do to teach them and give them whatever they need, I try to be transparent, open and honest with them.”

“I really want to get their opinion. Is this a good fit for me or not? It’s a give and take, but at the same time, we have a solid team with smart, caring guys. Any time you have guys like that, it’s a pleasure to coach them.”

Johnson was previously the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings, working closely with coach Kevin O’Connell and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. He interviewed for the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator job that went to former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

Johnson is a former offensive quality control coach for the Indianapolis Colts who joined the Vikings in 2022.

Johnson also coached the San Francisco 49ers under a Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship. He was promoted to his previous position with the Colts three years ago. Three years ago, he interviewed for the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterbacks coach position.

Johnson finished his college career with a school-record 8,011 passing yards and 8,888 yards of total offense and also played on the Aggies’ basketball team. A second-team All-Big 12 selection, Johnson was the program’s all-time leader in attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdowns before Kellen Mond broke those records.

Although Johnson went undrafted, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Hartford Colonials and Sacramento Mountain Lions.

Johnson is a former assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at St. Thomas High School in Houston.

He played in the East-West Shrine Bowl in 2011 and later coached in the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Johnson enjoyed coaching Stroud.

“Absolutely, he’s a very mature kid,” Johnson told KPRC 2. “He’s got a good foundation. He played a lot of high-level football in college, and it doesn’t seem like it’s too important to him.

As the Texans’ first-year quarterbacks coach, Johnson was given a critical and valuable mission: to develop and enhance the skills and knowledge of Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick and two-time Heisman Trophy finalist from Ohio State,

His roots in Humble are what made Johnson a coach.

“It’s been a great blessing for me,” Johnson said. “My dad was a coach and manager there. That’s what our family roots are. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the village of people who raised me in Humble, Texas. I’m forever indebted to Humble and I love my hometown, it’s the foundation of who I am as a person.”

Coaching his hometown team is a big emotional experience for Johnson, as he and his wife, Braidee, are parents to a baby girl, Jersie Drew Johnson.

“It’s really special, especially with my family, my wife Braidee and our little girl, for me to have the opportunity to do what I love in the city where I grew up,” Johnson said. “It’s a dream come true. I’m truly blessed. It’s an emotional experience to be surrounded by my family and our newborn. For us to start our family in my hometown is a blessing.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texas and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.