Florida State running backs coach/recruiting coordinator David Johnson was an original member of Mike Norvell’s staff when he came to FSU before the 2020 season. There were reports that Arkansas was targeting Johnson for a similar role for their new head coach, Ryan Silverfield.
Silverfield coached the offensive line for Mike Norvell at Memphis, and reports are that Johnson will take the job at Arkansas.
Arkansas is in fact expected to hire Florida State’s David Johnson as its new running backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 8, 2025
Johnson had worked at FSU since 2020. Previously worked in the SEC at Tennessee in 2018 and ‘19. https://t.co/TA0xst4PTi pic.twitter.com/P3PafSJtgK
It feels like a situation where Mike Norvell may have given Johnson a lifeline off a sinking ship. At the same time, Johnson has been solid overall, but it may be time for a new voice in that recruiting coordinator role.
The running backs coach is usually a place where your best recruiters are stashed, and Johnson has signed some guys over the years, but nobody exceptional that could make an impact in year one.
The closest was Ousmane Kromah in last year’s 2025 recruiting class, but he wasn’t maximized in Gus Malzahn’s offense as a freshman this season for whatever reason. It’s not clear who will replace Johnson on the staff, but hopefully, it’s a guy who’s an absolute dawg on the recruiting trail. Also, hopefully, it’s a guy who’s willing to hold his players accountable to help create a player-led culture at FSU.
I’m not saying Johnson’s group had a bad culture, but sometimes a new voice is needed when the head coach’s message might not resonate with guys like it used to. I have my doubts that Mike Norvell will make it past the 2026 season, but getting new blood on the staff is a way to give him the best shot to make it happen.