It’s becoming evident that new co-owner Mike Repole and league President and CEO, Russ Brandon, are completely overhauling the UFL coaching staff. News broke last week of the dismissal of former Houston Roughnecks /Gamblers head coach Curtis “C.J.” Johnson and his staff. Johnson, the popular former Tulane head coach, had been with the UFL since its inception. Before the launch of the new spring league, he was the head coach of the USFL Houston Gamblers in 2023.
A Coaching Overhaul In 2026
Johnson’s dismissal came on the heels of the UFL’s decision to release Mike Nolan, the former Michigan Panthers’ head coach. Nolan, the 2024 “UFL Coach of the Year,” led his team to the UFL Championship this past season. Although the Panthers were one of the teams impacted by the recent league reorganization, Nolan’s dismissal still came as a surprise amid speculation that he would coach one of the new expansion teams.
Johnson Brought College and NFL Experience to the Spring League
With a coaching history spanning more than 40 years, Johnson began his career as the wide receivers coach for the University of Idaho in 1987. After successful stints with San Diego State and the Miami Hurricanes, he transitioned from college to the NFL. Taking a position with the New Orleans Saints in 2006, Johnson was part of the coaching staff during their 2009 Super Bowl win.
In December of 2011, while still with the Saints, Johnson was named head coach at Tulane. In 2013, he took the Green Wave to its first bowl game in 11 years. However, with an overall losing record, Johnson and the University parted ways four years later.
Returning to the NFL in February of 2016, Johnson resumed the position of wide receivers coach for the Chicago Bears. In 2017, Sean Payton rehired him for a second stint with the Saints as his senior offensive assistant. In 2021, Johnson took on the added responsibility of wide receivers coach.
Making the Move to the Spring Leagues
The next phase of Johnson’s career began in 2023 when he became the head coach for the USFL Houston Gamblers. The 2023 Gamblers had an up-and-down year, losing the first two games. Midway through the season, the team was in first place after four consecutive wins. However, after finishing with a 5-5 record, the Gamblers just missed the playoffs.
The following year, Johnson was named the head coach of the UFL Houston Roughnecks. Although the team finished the season with a dismal 1-9 record, to his credit, Johnson had earned the support of his players. With former UFL V.P. Daryl “Moose” Johnston and the league management firmly behind him, Johnson was brought back for a second season with the Roughnecks.
Looking to provide a spark for his offense, Houston GM Will Lewis negotiated a pre-season trade with the D.C. Defenders for quarterback Jalen McClendon in exchange for cornerback Kiondre Thomas. After faltering early in the season with quarterbacks Anthony Brown and Nolan Henderson, Johnson anointed McClendon as the starter mid-way through the season.
Johnson’s decision proved to be a good move for the Roughnecks. The newly energized offense ended the season with McClendon passing for 1,464 yards, with six touchdowns and three interceptions in 10 games. Finishing as the fifth-ranked QB in the league with an 87.0 QBR, McClendon re-signed with Houston in July of 2025.
Eliminating many of the costly penalties that had plagued Houston in its first season, Johnson had the team moving in the right direction. The 2025 Roughnecks were the UFL’s most improved team, finishing third in the division with a 5-5 record. Drawing upon his expertise in coaching wide receivers, Johnson brought out the best in Justin Hall. One of the league’s top wide receivers, Hall earned 501 receiving yards, with more than 50% of those yards coming after the catch.
Johnson Leaves with Gratitude and Appreciation
Johnson bids farewell to the players, coaches, GM, staff, and UFL fans with gratitude and appreciation for his time in the league, calling the “last three years a tremendous blessing and rewarding experience.” Calling the fans the “real stars of the UFL,” Johnson makes it clear that he wishes the league nothing but success. We can only express gratitude for his efforts and wish him the same in his next career endeavor.
