Taggart Introduces Johnson, Announces Staff Changes

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Michael Johnson has joined the Florida Atlantic University football coaching staff, while three current staff members see assignment shifts as the Owls prepare for the 2021 season, FAU head coach Willie Taggart announced Friday.
 
“I’m excited about these changes to our staff,” Taggart said. “Moving forward, we’ll have a talented mix of experienced veterans and younger coaches, all of whom I have had the opportunity to work with previously. I’m looking forward to this group coming together and helping me lead this program into spring ball and the upcoming season.”
 
Johnson, who brings 23 years of coaching experience to the staff, will serve as the team’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He was most recently on the staff at Mississippi State and will re-unite with Taggart after being a part of Taggart’s staff at Oregon from 2017-18.
 
Raymond Woodie, who served as the Owls’ outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator in 2020, has been elevated to associate head coach. The 23-year coaching veteran will continue to work with the outside linebackers and will also assume the responsibility of Special Teams Coordinator.
 
Co-offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer joined the staff prior to the 2020 season and coached the wide receivers last season. In addition to his co-coordinator role, Mehringer will now coach the Owls’ tight ends.
 
Joey Thomas, an NFL veteran, two-time All-America performer and three-time high school coach of the year, served on the Owls’ staff in 2020 as an analyst. The Oregon native will now be FAU’s wide receivers coach.
 
The Owls, bowl participants in three of the last four seasons, are scheduled to open the 2021 season in Gainesville versus Florida on Saturday, Sept. 4.
 
Johnson’s hire is subject to completion of a background check and other applicable FAU Human Resources requirements.