Tyrann Mathieu’s high school coach reflects on time with the Honey Badger at St. Aug

NEW ORLEANS — David Johnson is currently the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator for Florida State’s football program, but in 2009, he was Tyrann Mathieu’s high school football coach.

Johnson spoke about his time with the Honey Badger at St. Aug and what he has seen from Mathieu throughout his football career in the WGNO Sports Zone.

Mathieu was a standout with the Purple Knights and became a football star with LSU. He spent twelve decorated years in the NFL, which saw four All-Pro selections, three Pro Bowl selections, and a Super Bowl LIV victory with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mathieu announced his retirement from football this week after spending the last three years of his NFL career with his hometown team, the New Orleans Saints.

“You know, you have so many kids looking up to him, kids wanting to be in that position and understanding that they can achieve it. You know, having somebody come exactly from this city, being able to play in the NORD playground, go to middle school, go to high school right in the city, and actually go to college in this state. So, you know, he did everything for a lot of people. So a lot of young people looking, understand that they too can actually achieve that dream,” said former St. Aug head football coach Tyrann Mathieu.