Youngstown State has banned team personnel director Tim Johnson after he began contact with an opposing team player on Saturday.
The school and Missouri Valley Conference – the conference in which the Penguins compete – issued a joint statement on Monday, saying Johnson would not be allowed on the sidelines for the remainder of the spring season. Johnson is a former Youngstown State All-American linebacker who has 401 career tackles and advanced to the NFL, spending six seasons with the league, the Bears, the Ravers and the Rens.
He is in his first year in the role of first-year head coach Doug Phillips.
“I (University of Northern Iowa), Youngistan State, Missouri Valley Football Conference and apologize to our community for what happened on Saturday.” Read johnson’s statement. “As a member of the YSU football staff, my tasks are held in high regard and should never have happened. Again, I deeply apologize to all those who have been influenced by my actions. “
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The incident occurred after Northern Iowa’s Kwan Hampton (five receptions, 74 yards) caught a pass and drove the ball to the midfield; At the end of the clip, Johnson is seen hanging and bowing at Hampton, slamming the Panthers receiver to the ground. No penalty was imposed and Johnson stayed on the sidelines.
Here is another angle of contact courtesy of Yahoo! sport:
Northern Iowa won the season 21–1, going 1–1; Youngstown State is now 0-2 after losing to North Dakota State earlier.
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