Jamar Johnson is in his first season as Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Truman State Bulldogs, joining the staff in March 2025. A 2024 NFL & NCAA Coaches Academy recipient and recognized as one of FootballScoop's 2022 Minority Rising Stars, Johnson brings extensive experience developing elite receivers at multiple levels of college football.
At Truman State
In his first season (2025), Johnson helped lead the Bulldogs to their first post-season playoff berth in 31 years. His wide receivers room produced three All-GLVC honorees: wide receiver Nathan Ryan (2nd Team All-GLVC), returner Thomas Pulliam, and tight end Gerard Grewe (2nd Team All-GLVC at both TE and offensive utility).
Johnson's unit contributed to an explosive offense that averaged 34.4 points per game (2nd GLVC/27th nationally). The passing attack generated 2,476 yards with 25 touchdowns, while the Bulldogs converted third downs at a 47.1% clip (2nd GLVC/17th nationally). Ryan led the team with 9 receiving touchdowns on 36 catches for 596 yards, while Grewe caught a team-high 44 passes for 573 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Before Truman State
Prior to Truman State, Johnson spent nearly four years (July 2021-March 2025) as Wide Receivers Coach and Transfer Portal Coordinator at the University of Central Arkansas. At UCA, he mentored 2024 All-American and Jerry Rice Award Finalist Malachi Henry, recruited national 5-star wide receiver Trejan Bridges (Oklahoma transfer), and developed Tyler Hudson into a First Team All-American and 2021 ASUN Offensive Player of the Year. Hudson finished as a two-time Jerry Rice and Walter Payton Award Finalist before being selected by the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. Johnson also coached 2024 Walter Payton Award Finalist ShunDerrick Powell and Buck Buchannon Award winner David Walker (2025 NFL Draft selection).
Johnson helped UCA win the 2022 ASUN Conference Championship and played a major role in signing a recruiting class that ranked #1 in the ASUN and 4th nationally. In summer 2022, he was selected as a Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellow with the Los Angeles Rams, working directly with Associate Head Coach Thomas Brown.
From December 2018 to July 2021, Johnson served as Wide Receivers Coach, JV Head Coach, and National Recruiting Coordinator at Iowa Western Community College. He oversaw the #1 recruiting class in the nation in 2019, including #1 JUCO recruit Zaquandre White (All-American, South Carolina signee). Johnson mentored 2022 Senior Bowl MVP Perrion Winfrey (108th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft) and helped the Reivers to back-to-back Top 5 national finishes and the Graphic Bowl Championship.
Johnson spent 2018 at Dodge City Community College as Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, mentoring four All-KJCCC receivers before serving as Interim Head Coach during a transition. He began his coaching career at San Jose State University (February 2016-January 2018) as a Graduate Assistant, mentoring future NFL Draft pick tight end Josh Oliver (69th overall, Baltimore Ravens, 2019).
His coaching journey started at his alma mater, the University of La Verne (May 2014-February 2016), where he was honored as SCIAC Wide Receiver Coach of the Year in 2015 after developing back-to-back First Team All-SCIAC wide receivers. He helped the 2015 team to its first winning season in 10 years (8-2) with an undefeated SCIAC record.
Since 2009, Johnson has served as a Wide Receiver Development Coach for Steve Calhoun's Armed and Dangerous Football Camp, helping train NFL Draft picks including Corey Coleman, Tajae Sharpe, and Sterling Shepard.
Education & Playing Career
Johnson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of La Verne in 2014, where he started all four years at wide receiver and won the Leopard Senior Blanket Award. He completed his Master of Science degree in Leadership & Management from La Verne in 2016 and also studied in the Counseling of Education Master's Program at San Jose State.
Personal
Johnson is married to his wife, Shelcy, and they welcomed their first child in February 2022. An Anaheim, California native, Johnson recruits California, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois.
