About Andy Johnson

A coach’s experience. A parent’s perspective.

Football coach wearing a headset on the sideline

I’m Andy Johnson. I’ve spent more than 20 years as a Head Coach in Florida and four years coaching at the college level. Along the way, I’ve helped more than 100 players achieve their dream of playing college football.

Then I experienced recruiting from a different perspective: as a parent going through the process with my own son. That experience changed the way I looked at recruiting.

What I learned alongside my son

Coach and football player wearing number 7 together on the field

My son and I attended 18 camps across the country over two summers. We learned a lot, made mistakes, and gained valuable experience. One of the biggest lessons was that more camps don’t necessarily mean more opportunities. Fit, relationships, prior interest, and a thoughtful strategy matter.

Some of the best opportunities came from schools we weren’t originally considering. We learned to keep an open mind and look beyond familiar names.

We also started asking a different question. Instead of simply asking whether a school wanted him, we asked whether that school was truly the right place for him.

The perspective behind the playbook

The Andy Johnson Recruiting Playbook brings together my experience as a coach and the lessons I learned as a parent. It offers high school football players and their families a look at recruiting through both perspectives, from building a school list and connecting with coaches to planning camps and evaluating the fit.

This playbook is for you if…

You’re a player

  • You want to play college football but aren’t sure where to start.
  • You want to build a realistic list of schools that fit your abilities and goals.
  • You want to understand how coaches find players and how to connect with them.
  • You need a plan for recruiting, from your first steps to evaluating opportunities.
  • You want to look beyond the offer and find a school that fits you on and off the field.

You’re a parent

  • You want to support your son through recruiting but aren’t sure how to help.
  • You’re deciding which camps are worth your family’s time and money.
  • You want to help your son explore schools beyond the names you already know.
  • You want to consider the full opportunity: football, academics, finances, and life beyond the field.
  • You value guidance from a coach who has also experienced recruiting as a parent.