Texans Exclusive: Coach Curtis Johnson Honored to be A Part of Andre Johnson's Hall of Fame Journey

Former University of Miami wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson honored to have helped Houston Texans legend Andre Johnson go from raw college prospect to Hall of Famer.

HOUSTON — Houston Texans legend Andre Johnson was in disbelief when he opened the door of his Houston home. Johnson saw NFL legend Cris Carter standing outside the threshold while wearing a gold jacket, indicating that the former seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro wide receiver was a part of the newly elected Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024.

"It’s probably one of the best feelings that I’ve had in a very, very long time," Johnson said. "Just getting that knock at the door was very emotional and it was just kind of a sense of closure to my career. I always said that I never ever thought of being a Hall of Famer, but to have that happen, it was a tremendous feeling."

Johnson watched for years as other electees received the knock. His favorite came in 2020 when Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker delivered the news to former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson.

Having Carter present the news to Johnson was fitting. He instantly reflected on his early days at the University of Miami. Johnson was a kick returner on special teams when he and Carter first met. The then-Minnesota Vikings receiver told Johnson he would be a "real special player" once he began receiving playing time.

Texans receiver Andre Johnson (80) catches a pass against the Miami Dolphins at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Dolphins 30-10 :: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

The Hall of Fame potential Carter noticed in Johnson coincided with Miami's wide receiver coach Curtis Johnson. He witnessed Johnson's potential during his prep days at Miami High School. His athleticism and attributes had Curtis believing Johnson would excel as a receiver despite being a high school quarterback whose first love was basketball. 

"It is truly a great honor to have gotten to know Andre," Curtis exclusively told Texans Daily. "You could see the potential that young man had back then. He was big. He was fast. And he could run. I would always tease him and say, 'Man, I got to get my hands on you. I have to get you to play receiver.' 

"Finally, during his senior year, I received a call from Roscoe Parrish, and he told me, 'I'm going to go to Miami and play quarterback, and Dre [Andre Johnson] is going to move to receiver.' After that, he lit it up. Andre was something special." 

Johnson spent his freshman year at the end of Miami's depth chart, which featured future All-Pro receivers Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne.

He appeared in 11 games for the Hurricanes. Outside of recording 249 yards as a kick returner, Miami did not utilize Johnson in the passing game. He registered 57 receiving yards on three catches.

Johnson's first season at Miami was a learning experience. Curtis said his top objective was to teach Johnson — and the rest of the young receivers — how not to quit.

His teachings were challenging, and there were moments when several Miami receivers wanted to fight Curtis. But Johnson said having him as his position coach was the best thing that happened. He never had a coach who pushed him as hard.

A one-on-one meeting inside Curtis' office gave Johnson a new perspective. It was the discussion where Curtis shared with Johnson that his purpose was not to get him ready to compete against his college peers but to play in the NFL as a top-three pick.

Johnson absorbed Curtis' teachings on and off the field. The outcome led to Johnson recording 1,780 yards on 59 catches and 19 touchdowns over the next two seasons. He played an essential role in helping Miami win the national championship during his sophomore year. Two years after their meeting, Johnson entered the league as the No. 3 pick of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Texans.

"I never felt I had to teach them how to play — I have to teach you how not to quit," Curtis said. "There were guys who were good players on that Miami team, but they would just give in.

"You think you were going to come into Miami and dominate? We had Phillip Buchanon playing corner, a first-round draft pick. Ed Reed, a first-round safety. Sean Taylor came a year later, another first-rounder. We had competitive practices. Most guys would quit. But Dre was never one of those guys."

Coach Curtis Johnson on the sideline in the third quarter of a game against the Syracuse Orange at Carrier Dome / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson and Curtis remained close after they departed Miami. Curtis watched from afar as Johnson took his guidance to establish himself as one of the best wide receivers of his generation.

In 2006, Johnson led the league in catches with 103 and finished his career with five seasons of 100 or more receptions — more than any member enshrined — according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

He finished his career ranked 11th all-time for most receiving yards with 14,185. In 2009, while leading the Texans to their first winning season with a 9-7 record, Johnson became the second player in history to lead the NFL in receiving yards in back-to-back seasons — joining Jerry Rice, who achieved the feat in 1990. 

Curtis left Miami to become the wide receivers coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2006 to 2011. In 2009, Curtis helped the Saints win their lone Super Bowl title in franchise history.

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Johnson and Curtis have maintained a close-knit relationship since they first met on the campus of Miami High School. They had spoken on the phone hours before Carter arrived at Johnson's residency to deliver the news of his Hall of Fame selection.  

Curtis, now the head coach of the UFL's Houston Roughnecks, had no idea of Johnson's Hall of Fame selection. In fact, he received the news from his daughter.

He has since teased Johnson about the delayed announcement. But despite the late notice, Curtis feels like a "proud papa," knowing that Johnson will forever have his name engraved in football glory.

"When I heard the news, it brought me to tears," Curtis said. "I was just thinking about how good he was. How good of a person he is. To do what he did in Houston, a lot of time, he was it. To look at his stats and how he played, I am so proud of him."