Nate Johnson, who has spent the past nine seasons coaching with three different NCAA Division II and III football programs, has been hired as the University of Minnesota Duluth's defensive secondary coach.

"We are excited to welcome someone with the wealth of experience that Nate brings to our staff," said UMD head coach Curt Wiese. "He comes to our program highly-recommended for his character and ability to lead young men. We look forward to having he and his wife, Livja, join the UMD Bulldog family."

Johnson supervised the safeties at Central Washington University for three years, including this past fall when the Wildcats posted a 11-0 regular season record, captured the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship and secured the Super Region Four's  No. 1 seed in the NCAA II playoffs. During his time in Ellensburg, Wash., Johnson helped produce five All-GNAC honorees and one D2CCA All-Region pick (in Jackson Huerta) while Central Washington went 23-10 overall.

Prior to joining the Wildcat staff, Johnson served three seasons (2012-14) as Gustavus Adolphus College's defensive backs coach. He got his start in the collegiate coaching profession at his alma mater, St. Cloud State University, taking on a graduate assistant (wide receivers coach) role from 2009-2011. In Johnson's final year with that program, the Huskies were Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference co-champions (sharing that title with UMD and Minnesota State University-Mankato) and qualified for the NCAA II playoffs for the second straight time.

A native of Austin, Minn., Johnson culminated his four-year playing career at St. Cloud State in 2008 by attaining All-NSIC status as a second team wide receiver. In addition to lettering four times in football, he also competed for four seasons with the baseball Huskies.

"I'm thrilled to be part of a program with such a rich and winning tradition," said Johnson. "I hope I can contribute to the continued success of Bulldog football."

Johnson graduated from St. Cloud State in 2010 with a B.A. Degree in English studies and is currently working on his Master's Degree in sport management.