Whitworth University

The senior member of the Whitworth coaching staff, Mathew Johnson enters his 19th season as a Pirate assistant in 2025.  As a running backs coach, Johnson helped guide Ronnie Thomas to Northwest Conference rushing titles in 2011 and 2012 and coached Duke DeGaetano to D3football.com All-Region recognition in 2016. Mason Elms led the NWC in rushing touchdowns in 2018 and earned second team All-Northwest Conference.  Luis Salgado is a two-time first team All-NWC selection (2023 and 2024) who set an NWC record with 365 yards in a win at Pacific (Ore.) on Oct. 26, 2024.

Johnson played wide receiver from 2001-2005 at Whitworth and graduated with a Business Management degree and also received his MBA. He was a two year starter.