Matt Johns is in his second season as Utah State’s quarterbacks coach and has eight years of collegiate coaching experience. The 2025 season will be his fourth working with head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
In his first year at Utah State in 2025, Johns helped Utah State to a 6-7 record (4-4 Mountain West) and its 12th bowl game in the last 15 years. With Johns on staff, USU had four offensive players earn All-MW honors as wide receiver Braden Pegan was named to the first team, quarterback Bryson Barnes and running back Miles Davis were both named to the second team, and wide receiver Brady Body was named honorable mention.
During the 2025 season, Barnes started all 13 games at quarterback and was 211-of-356 (.593) passing for 2,803 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. Barnes led the team in rushing with 740 yards on 189 carries and set the school record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season with 10.
On the season, Barnes ranked second in the MW and 23rd in the nation in total touchdowns with 29 (2.23 pg), first in the MW and 16th in the nation in yards per completion (13.28), second in the MW and 37th in the nation in yards per pass attempt (7.87), third in the MW and 33rd in the nation in points responsible for at 13.7 per game, third in the MW and 45th in the nation in rushing touchdowns with 10 (0.77 pg), third in the MW and 54th in the nation in passing efficiency (139.3), third in the MW and 47th in the nation in passing touchdowns with 18 (1.38 pg), fourth in the MW and 29th in the nation in total offense (272.5 ypg), fourth in the MW and 58th in the nation in passing (215.6 ypg), sixth in the MW and 80th in the nation in completions per game (16.23), seventh in the MW and 95th in the nation in completion percentage (.593), and seventh in the MW in rushing (56.9 ypg).
Offensively, Utah State averaged 30.9 points per game in 2025 to rank second in the Mountain West and 36th nationally. USU also ranked third in the conference and 39th in the nation in total offense at 409.5 yards per game, fourth in the MW and 47th nationally in passing offense at 247.0 yards per game, and sixth in the MW and 62nd in the nation in rushing offense at 162.5 yards per game.
Utah State finished the season first in the Mountain West and fifth in the nation with five interceptions thrown, first in the MW and ninth in the nation in turnovers lost with 11, and second in the MW and 30th in the nation in turnover margin at plus 0.46.
Johns came to Utah State after spending the 2024 season as the tight ends coach at New Mexico. He helped the Lobos to a 5-7 record, marking the program’s most wins in eight years. Their season was highlighted by a 38-35 victory against No. 19 Washington State, snapping a 26-game losing streak against nationally ranked teams. The UNM victory was its first win over a top-20 team since 1994 and its first non-conference win against a top-20 opponent since 1940.
At New Mexico, Johns’ unit helped UNM finish the 2024 season ranked first in the Mountain West in red zone offense and total offense, ranking fourth in the FBS with 484.3 yards per game. The Lobos also ranked second in the MW and fifth in the FBS in rushing offense (253.6), leading the league and ranking fourth in the country in first down offense (298).
As the Lobos’ tight ends coach, Johns mentored Trace Bruckler to honorable mention All-MW honors as he had the fourth-most receptions among all tight ends. Bruckler was a key component of UNM’s run game, not just lining up at tight end but also as a fullback and H-back. In 52 pass blocking plays where he was not a part of the pattern, he had a perfect pass blocking percentage with no sacks, hurries or hits allowed.
Before New Mexico, Johns spent five seasons with William & Mary (2019-23), serving as quarterbacks coach for his final four seasons and passing game coordinator for the final two seasons. He also spent a year as the inside receivers and tight ends coach.
In his two seasons as passing game coordinator, William & Mary showcased tremendous success through the air. In 2022, the Tribe ranked seventh in the FCS in passing efficiency (164.62), fourth in yards per attempt (9.64), and sixth in yards per completion (16.04). William & Mary tallied 448.8 yards and 33.5 points per game, ranking fourth and fifth in program history, respectively.
In 2023, despite William & Mary switching to a more run-based offense, the Tribe finished third nationally in fewest interceptions thrown (4) and ranked 33rd nationally in third-down percentage (42.7).
With William & Mary, the Tribe advanced to the FCS Quarterfinals in 2022 and won 11 games, tying a program record.
His first year with William & Mary was in 2019, serving as inside receivers and tight ends coach, and the Tribe increased its team scoring by nearly 100 points.
Johns spent the 2018 season as a graduate assistant with the Cavalier defense after his playing career at Virginia ended. In his lone season at Virginia, UVA went 8-5, played in the Belk Bowl, and saw the defense net three All-ACC selections. The Cavaliers ranked in the top 20 nationally in interceptions (17, 11th) and passing yards per game (183.0, 16th), finishing outside of the top 20 in scoring defense (21.0, 21st).
As a player at Virginia (2014-17), Johns was a four-year letterwinner at quarterback as he played his final season for Mendenhall. At UVA, Johns finished 11th on the career list for yards (4,233), sixth in touchdown passes (30) and sixth in 200-yard games (6).
Johns graduated from Virginia with a bachelor’s in economics in 2016 and earned his master’s in higher education/athletic administration in 2017.
Johns is engaged to Brittany Ratcliffe, who plays forward for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL.
MATT JOHNS FILE
Coaching History
2025- Utah State – Quarterbacks
2024 New Mexico – Tight Ends
2022-23 William & Mary – Quarterbacks/Passing Game Coordinator
2020-21 William & Mary – Quarterbacks
2019 William & Mary – Inside Receivers/Tight Ends
2018 Virginia – Graduate Assistant
Bowl Games (2)
Utah State (1): 2025 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Virginia (1): 2018 Belk Bowl
FCS Playoffs (1)
William & Mary (1): 2022 Quarterfinals
Playing Experience
2014-17 Virginia
Education
2017 Virginia – Higher Educations/Athletic Administration (Master’s)
2016 Virginia – Economics (Bachelor’s)
Family
Engaged to Brittany Ratcliffe
