Secondary
Recruiting Area: Los Angeles/Southern California
Washington State, 1997
3rd year at ISU
208-282-2704
Johnny Nansen enters his third year with the Bengals, and he takes over the position of secondary coach. He will also handle the safeties after two years of handling ISU's cornerbacks. Nansen came to the Bengals from Montana State. Prior to Montana State, Nansen spent two years at the University of Louisville, where he was an assistant for John L. Smith, helping Louisville to a berth in the Liberty Bowl.

Nansen's work with ISU's corners in two years showed amazing results, resulting in four all-conference cornerbacks, including 2002 first teamer Ernie James. Making the numbers more remarkable is ISU's youth at the position, as Nansen's four All-Big Sky corners were two freshmen (one a true freshmen), a sophomore, and a junior. Last season, the Bengals picked off 16 passes, including three by All-Big Sky member Emery Beckles.

Nansen, played linebacker at Washington State from 1992-96, starting 10 games as a junior and six more during an injury-plagued senior season. He earned single-game team honors for his performances vs. Southern California and Oregon as a junior, earning Pac-10 Player of the Week for his Oregon performance.

Nansen's first coaching job was at Long Beach Carillo High School as a defensive coordinator in 1997 and 1998. He also coached linebackers there before moving to Louisville.