Johansen was given the freedom to shape the defense, with head coach Greg Schiano calling him the "leader of the defense." He has already added former South Dakota cornerbacks coach Eric Finney, former Drake head coach Joe Woodley, and former Drake defensive coordinator Adam Cox to his staff, with more hires to follow.
Schiano expressed confidence in Johansen’s track record, stating the team is not broken but needs adjustments. He also highlighted Johansen’s focus on building personal relationships with players, aligning with Rutgers’ family‑like culture.