The University of Mary Marauders

A former NCAA Division I defensive lineman with three years coaching experience in the Northern Sun and four overall at the college level, Tristian Johnson joined the University of Mary football staff as the defensive line coach in July 2018.
 
Johnson spent three seasons in the NSIC as the defensive line coach at MSU Moorhead (2015-17) where his players earned five all-conference honors, two all-region accolades and one conference player of the week honor. In 2017 senior Jake Busse and sophomore Miles Baggett both earned All-NSIC North first team honors under Johnson’s tutelage. Busse was also a first team selection in 2016 and 2015. Ryan Dahleen joined Busse as an All-NSIC selection in 2016 and the pair received Don Hansen All-Super Region 3 third team honors as the Dragons placed second in the NSIC North, the program’s best-ever finish. Dahleen also picked up NSIC defensive player of the week honors that season. In Johnson’s first year at MSUM in 2015 the Dragons had their first winning season in a decade.
 
In addition to coaching the defensive line, Johnson coordinated the weekly game plan for special teams and taught both a freshman year experience and a weight training course at MSUM.
 
Prior to joining the Dragons Johnson was one of 30 selected participants in the Future Football Coaches Academy held by the Amercan Football Coaches Association (AFCA) for new coaches at NCAA programs.
 
The native of LaGrange, GA, began his college coaching career as the linebacker/strength and conditioning coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2014. Kentucky Wesleyan won seven games his lone season with the program after going winless the prior year. Additionally the seven wins was the most for the team since 1999. Previously Johnson was the defensive line coach at West Jessamine High School and served as a volunteer coach at the Reach for the Sky Foundation camp in 2013.
 
A four-year letter-winner as a defensive lineman for the Wildcats, Johnson graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in community and leadership development in 2013. Prior to graduation, Johnson was one of only 200 NCAA student-athletes across all divisions and the only one from Kentucky selected to participate in the 2013 NCAA Career in Sports Forum.