Zamel Johnson, a former standout at Port Richmond High School here on Staten Island, and Temple University, enters his third year on staff at Wagner in 2017 and second as defensive backs coach after coaching the wide receivers in 2015.
In addition to his duties heading up the Seahawk defensive backfield, Johnson also serves as co-special teams coordinator.
“I’m thrilled to have Zamel on our staff,” said Houghtaling. “He was a tremendous player at Temple, is someone who has a passion for teaching and brings obvious local ties as a former top student-athlete at Port Richmond. I'm excited that he will be heading up our secondary this season."
Johnson originally attended Hofstra for one year before transferring to Temple after the Pride dropped its football program. In his four-year career at Temple, Johnson was a three-year starter at cornerback who amassed 77 tackles for the Owls. In 2013, Johnson earned a bachelor of arts degree from Temple while majoring in communications with a minor in Sociology.
Prior to embarking on his collegiate career, Johnson was a Staten Island Advance All-Star Team selection under head coach Lou Vesce at Port Richmond, where he starred at wide receiver and in the secondary, leading the Raiders to the 2008 PSAL championship and a perfect 13-0 record.
A four-year honor roll student at Port Richmond, Johnson was also a 2009 Staten Island Advance All-Star in both indoor and outdoor track, where he excelled in a host of different sprints.
In addition to his coaching duties at Wagner, Johnson will continue pursuing his master’s degree in social work. Prior to his arrival on Grymes Hill, Johnson served as a teacher within the New York City Board of Education.
