MARK JOHNSTON

Mark Johnston enters his fifth season as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator in 2016.

Johnston came to BW after serving as head strength and conditioning and defensive backs coach at Walsh University for 12 seasons and at Kent State University for four months as the Golden Flashes’ quality control coach. He also assisted in all aspects of recruiting and player and film evaluation at Kent.

At Walsh, Johnston was involved in all aspects of defensive game planning.  He mentored one All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) defensive back in 2012 and 22 All-Mid State Football Association (MSFA) defensive backs. In 2006, his entire secondary was picked first-team All-MFSA and he was named MFSA Assistant Coach of the Year.

Johnston also spent the 2000-2001 season coaching the defensive backs at Ohio Athletic Conference rival Heidelberg University. He also was a graduate assistant coach at both his alma mater, NCAA Division I Ohio University (1998-2000), and at Division III Loras, Iowa College (1997-1998).  He also holds several strength and conditioning certifications.

Johnston graduated from OU with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in civil engineering in 1997, and earned his Master’s of Science degree in physical education from OU in 2000. He is a graduate of Canton McKinley High School and played in college as a receiver at OU.

Johnston resides in North Canton, Ohio with wife Alice, and sons Luke and Matthew.