CHICAGO – Roosevelt football head coach Bill McKeon announced his staff Wednesday morning after adding Brent Johnson as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach.

Johnson and McKeon are no strangers to one another having worked together at Saint Xavier for most of the last decade. McKeon first coached Johnson for two seasons with the Cougars, turning Johnson into a first-team All-Mid States Football Association Midwest League player in 2018. Johnson then joined the Saint Xavier staff as a defensive backs coach under McKeon's tutelage until McKeon joined Roosevelt last year.

"Brent Johnson has continually impressed me with his exceptional work ethic," McKeon said. "During my time around him, I've witnessed his incredible growth. He joined us at Saint Xavier as a backup cornerback in his first year, became a starter in his second year, and earned All-Conference recognition. Brent is a tremendous recruiter who brings boundless energy to the field, inspiring our players. 'Coach Swerv' is a fantastic example of what hard work, a positive attitude, and unwavering enthusiasm can achieve."

In five seasons as the defensive backs coach, Johnson mentored eight all-conference performers for the Cougars. He was named McKeon's successor as defensive coordinator for the 2024 season, and helped the Cougars produce eight all-conference players and two All-Americans. Johnson's defense finished with 14 interceptions in 11 games and allowed just 93.8 rushing yards per game, which ranked ninth in the country.

"I am very excited to join the Roosevelt football program and take part in building something truly special in a world-class city," Johnson said. "The strong relationships I already have with Coach McKeon and several other members of the staff make this transition seamless for me. Roosevelt's mission perfectly aligns my beliefs. I'm eager to get to work with our student-athletes and support them in achieving their goals both on and off the field."

Johnson joins a staff that already has plenty of familiar names as McKeon elected to bring back five coaches who were with the Lakers last season. Headlining that group is Roosevelt veteran C.J. Davis, who will enter his seventh year on staff 2025. Davis will continue working with the offensive line, in addition to being named the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Lakers.

Kaleb Borghardt will continue on as the Lakers' offensive coordinator for a second season and will coach the quarterbacks. Patton Fitzpatrick replaces McKeon as Roosevelt's defensive coordinator and will work with the linebackers in his second season on staff. Also entering their second years, Nevin De Graaf has signed on to work with the wide receivers and Donald Kapustka will coach the running backs and superbacks.

In addition to the five returning faces from the 2024 season, Justin Lotz also returns to Roosevelt's staff after a year away from the program. Lotz spent the 2022 and 2023 on Roosevelt's staff as a graduate assistant before spending this past season as an assistant at Winona State. He will work with the defense and special teams.