RISON - Tyrell Johnson, a 2003 graduate of Rison High School who played in the National Football League (NFL), has been named the head coach of the Episcopal Collegiate Wildcats in Little Rock, according to media reports.
Johnson succeeds Michael Carter, who retired as head football coach at Episcopal.
After earning All-State accolades while playing running back and defensive back for the Rison Wildcats, Johnson played college football at Arkansas State University. After redshirting his first year, Johnson became the starting safety for the Red Wolves in 2004, earning Freshman All-American honors and was named second team All-Sunbelt Conference in his first year of action.
During his 2007 season at Arkansas State, Johnson earned third-team All-American, firstteam All-Sun Belt Conference and was the league's Defensive Player of the Year after recording 94 tackles and six interceptions.
Johnson was drafted by the Minnesato Vikings as the 43rd
overall pick in the 2008 NFL. His professional career also included stints with the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons.
After leaving professional football, Johnson began working with Episcopal Collegiate in 2016 in various capacities. He has served as head strength and conditioning coach, head varsity track coach, head junior high basketball coach, and assistant varsity boys basketball coach at the Little Rock-based private school.
Episcopal returned to the 11man football ranks this past season after spending the previous four seasons playing eight-man football. The Wildcats went 7-4 this year, falling in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs to Mt. Ida.
"I have nothing but respect for Coach Carter, but as far as moving forward, I am extremely excited," Johnson told scorebooklive.com's Kyle Sutherland. "My slogan is 'It's Time.' Time to get over the hump and be recognized as one of the top programs in the state."
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