Johnson, UC Davis defense never rest

Mark Johnson will begin his third season as UC Davis' defensive coordinator when the Aggies face Arizona State.

One completed pass was enough. Mark Johnson was not going to let another play go by without addressing his UC Davis defense. As the unit’s coordinator, on-the-spot critiquing is fair play.

That is if his tirade can be considered a critique. Johnson did more than raise his voice in telling his defense that such lapses in tonight’s opener at Arizona State would spell doom for the Aggies.

“If we do that, they’re going to throw for 700 (expletive) yards against us,” said Johnson, a Vacaville High School and UC Davis graduate who has a way with words to ensure his point gets across.

Johnson has been more concerned about Arizona State’s offense this week than with his choice of vocabulary. During Monday’s practice, he was easily the most energetic person on the field.

His defensive players got a pat on the backside for a play well done or an earful when an assignment was blown. Johnson is as intense now as he was when he played linebacker for the Aggies.

“I’m always fired up. I love the game,” Johnson explained. “I love working with the kids. I love making a difference – I hope.”

Johnson assembled his coaching style with pieces from the men for whom he played – Tom Zunino, Fred Jones and Rudy Montalvo at Vacaville High, then Jim Sochor and Bob Foster at UC Davis.

“They were all awesome,” Johnson said.

Words of wisdom imparted by those five coaches will come in handy for Johnson in his third season as the Aggies defensive coordinator. Johnson’s wisdom will be tested tonight by the Sun Devils.

“I can’t make mistakes,” he said. “I can’t have an off day.”

Money may be the motive for UC Davis in accepting the game, but Johnson will not be counting dollars tonight. He realizes what will be at stake for the Aggies against a Pac 12 opponent.

The stakes have changed for UC Davis since it became a Division I university. Johnson and the Aggies absorbed a 51-0 loss to Fresno State in 2009 and were routed 52-3 at Cal last season.

Johnson prefers to focus on his defense rather than lose sleep over who the Aggies might be playing.

“It’s a faceless opponent. That’s the way we coach anyway,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who we play. If it’s for a check, that’s what it is. From a financial standpoint, it’s probably necessary.”