Nico joining ULL coaching staff

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 22, 2019

It’s being reported that Andalusia and University of Alabama graduate Nico Johnson will be joining the coaching staff at University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.

According to CBS Sports’ Barton Simmons, Johnson, a four-year contributor at Alabama from 2009-12, is joining Billy Napier’s staff at ULL as a defensive quality control staffer.

This is Napier’s second year at ULL after leading the Ragin’ Cajuns to 7-7 season a year ago.

Napier and Johnson are familiar with one another as Napier was an offensive assistant at Alabama in 2011.

Coming out of high school, Johnson was one the most sought after recruits in Andalusia High School history.

He was five-star prospect and was the nation’s No. 17 overall recruit and the No. 3 inside linebacker prospect.

Once he arrived at Alabama, Johnson immediately established himself as a contributor.

He started the 2009 season as a backup before an injury to Dont’a Hightower thrust him into starting duties.

Johnson never looked back as he compiled All-SEC freshman honors and went on to help the Crimson Tide capture three national titles in the span of four years.

In 2013, Johnson’s NFL dreams came true when the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the fourth round.

Johnson stayed in the league until 2017 when he officially decided to retire from playing.