One of the best high school programs in the country has a new head coach and he’s a former All-American linebacker from Ohio State.
Thomas “Pepper” Johnson served as IMG’s defensive coordinator last season, but has now been promoted to head coach with the departure of Ascenders’ head coach Bobby Acosta, who accepted the head coaching position at Del Valle, Texas.
Johnson is 56-years old and had a fantastic four-year career at Ohio State from 1982-1985, tallying 379 tackles and five sacks. He was named an All-American his senior season before being selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1986 NFL draft.
He also excelled at the highest level as a two-time Pro-Bowler. During his career in the NFL, Johnson totaled 983 tackles, 25.5 sacks, and 14 interceptions in his 12-year professional career that also included stops in Cleveland, Detroit, and the New York Jets.
Head Coach IMG National Football Team pic.twitter.com/Y7gJGoZaiY
— Pepper Johnson (@PepJ52) June 24, 2021
Johnson has been in the coaching ranks ever since, and now he’ll get a chance to steer the ship in Bradenton, Florida for IMG where he’ll get a chance to develop and coach some of the best prep talent in the country.
