“I hope people understand that Jerry Tarkanian gave young black males a chance to better themselves and the lives of their families when no one else would. The way Coach talked to me, he spoke my language. I needed that type of voice in my life.”

American football coach

Larry A. Johnson is an American football coach. He has worked as a defensive line coach and associate head coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and he previously spent many years on the staff at Pennsylvania State University. Before joining Ohio State, Johnson coached at Penn State from 1996 to 2013. Earlier in his career, he coached high school football in the Washington, D.C. area from 1983 to 1993. He is also known as the father of former NFL running back Larry Johnson and former Penn State wide receiver Tony Johnson.