Recruiting Areas: Maryland (Central), Pennsylvania (Northeast), Florida (Central)
Clarence Johnson is in his ninth season as an assistant coach at Marist. He is in his second season as special teams coordinator and third as linebackers coach after having served as safeties coach from 2010-15.
Johnson has served as the program's recruiting coordinator since 2011. In this role, he has spearheaded the Red Foxes' nationwide recruiting efforts. In Johnson's tenure, the Marist roster has regularly included student-athletes from double-digit states, a number that has reached as high as 16.
Johnson's position group has annually been among the most talented on the Marist roster since his arrival. Linebacker Willie Barrett has earned All-Pioneer Football League honors each of the past two seasons, being named Second Team All-PFL in 2016 and First Team All-PFL in 2017. This season, Barrett was named to the Watch List for the Buck Buchanan Award (presented to the best defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision).
In the 2015 season, free safety Zach Adler closed out his impressive career with 17 interceptions, and was named Second Team All-PFL. Safety Mike Marston was named All-PFL Honorable Mention.
In 2014, Adler led the FCS in interceptions per game, was named Honorable Mention All-America by the Associated Press, and was named First Team All-PFL.
In the 2013 season, the Red Foxes had two Second Team All-PFL safeties in Adler and senior captain Nick Kaszei. In 2012, his position group made a significant impact on Marist’s defense. Senior captain Nick Mainiero was named Second Team All-PFL, and Adler burst onto the scene by leading the PFL with four interceptions.
Johnson came to Marist from West Chester University in West Chester, Pa., where he coached from 2007-09. As defensive backs coach, Johnson was responsible for coaching the team's safeties and cornerbacks. He also worked with the kickoff and punt returners. In his tenure with the Golden Rams, he coached five All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference players, including three safeties and two return specialists. He coached in two NCAA Tournaments there.
A member of the American Football Coaches Association, Johnson also has served as a football official in the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Athletic Association. He is in his fourth year as a member of the NCAA Football Minorities Committee, and currently serves as Faculty Adviser for Marist's Black Student Union.
Johnson is a 1992 graduate of West Chester, with a B.A. in Political Science and Public Administration. He was a three-year member of the Golden Rams as a cornerback and safety, and played on two NCAA playoff teams.
A resident of Poughkeepsie, Johnson and his wife, Gina, were married in July 2010. He is the father of a daughter, Lina Claire.
