Texas Wesleyan University Men's Football

FRAN JOHNSON  |  OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR Fran Johnson enters his fifth season as Offensive Coordinator for the Texas Wesleyan Rams in 2025.   Since joining the Rams in 2021, Johnson has transformed the team's offensive identity, emphasizing a robust running game while maintaining a prolific scoring output. Under his leadership, the Rams' offense achieved remarkable success, leading the nation in 2024 with an average of 57.5 points per game and securing the #1 offense ranking in the NAIA.   In 2022, the team led the nation in team yards per carry (YPC) with 6.5 yards per rush, highlighted by running back Ernie Ceasar's standout performance, averaging 9.1 yards per rush and accumulating 1,500 rushing yards. Ceasar further cemented his legacy by breaking the NAIA single-season rushing touchdown record with 40 in 2024.   Over the past three seasons (2022-2024), Johnson's offensive schemes have consistently placed the Rams in the top five nationally, including a second-place national ranking in scoring in 2022 with 45.2 points per game and an average of 46 points per game across the three-year span.   His strategic focus on complementary football has aligned the offense with the Rams' defense and special teams, contributing to a 24-7 record and Conference Championships in 2022, 2023 and 2024.   Additionally, Johnson's leadership helped secure the program's first-ever playoff berth in the modern era in 2024. With a strong contingent of returning veterans, the Rams' offense is poised for another explosive season in 2025.   A graduate of Benedictine College in Kansas, Johnson played quarterback for the Ravens from 2001 to 2004, earning degrees in 2005 and 2007.   His coaching career began at Benedictine, where he served from 2005 to 2020 before joining the Texas Wesleyan Rams.   Johnson resides in Fort Worth with his wife, Ashley, and their two-year-old son, Steele.    

JAYSEN PRICE | ASSISTANT WIDE RECEIVERS COACH Former All-American Jaysen Price is in his first season as a Graduate Assistant Coach, working with the wide receivers at Texas Wesleyan University. A recent standout player at Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) from 2021-2024, he brings a wealth of on-field experience and a proven track record of excellence to his coaching role.  During his playing career, Price established himself as one of the most dynamic return specialists in college football. In 2022, he earned 1st Team AP All-American Return Specialist honors, was named the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Athlete of the Year,and was recognized as the All-Texas Sub-FBS Kick Returner. His exceptional performance continued into 2023, when he was selected as a CFB Network Preseason 1st Team All-American Return Specialist. In 2024, he capped his career with 1st Team All-SAC Punt Returner honors and was a semi-finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, recognizing his leadership, academic success, and on-field performance. He was also named the 2024 TXWES Football Champion of Character for his exemplary sportsmanship and integrity.  Price holds the No. 6 all-time single-season punt return average in college football history (25.26 yards) and set a TXWES record with a 109-yard touchdown, the longest in school history. As a three-time Sooner Athletic Conference champion, he contributed to an impressive 34-8 college record during his playing career.  Now transitioning his passion and expertise to coaching, Price is dedicated to developing the next generation of wide receivers, drawing on his elite playmaking experience and commitment to leadership both on and off the field. 

JUDIAH LEWIS | WIDE RECIEVERS COACH - DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT Judiah Lewis enters his first season at Texas Wesleyan as the Wide Receivers Coach and Director of Equipment.  Prior to joining Texas Wesleyan, Lewis coached wide receivers at Northwestern Oklahoma State in 2024, where he coached All-GAC selection Travis Romar. He was later promoted to Safeties Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. In 2023, Lewis served as the Assistant Safeties Coach at Texas A&M–Kingsville. That season, the Javelinas had the #3 Total Defense in the Lone Star Conference (293.1) and the #2 Rushing Defense (118.7); and featured LSC Defensive Back of the Year, Amos Coleman. Lewis holds a B.S. in History from Liberty University. He is married to his wife, Kaylie Lewis.  

CHARLES WELDE | OFFENSIVE LINE COACH  Charles Welde begins his first season at Texas Wesleyan University in 2025, serving as the Rams’ offensive line coach. He joins the program after three seasons as a high school offensive coordinator in Arizona. Before his time in Arizona, Welde was the general manager of a professional indoor football team in Bloomington, Illinois. His coaching career also includes a decade in California junior college football, with successful stops at College of the Canyons and Victor Valley College, where he helped guide both programs to conference championships. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Welde also earned his master’s degree from OU. He and his wife, Shawnn, have been married for 26 years and have two daughters: Brynn, a singer based in New York City, and Raven, a freshman engineering student at TCU.

MICHAEL ROSAS  |  CHIEF OF STAFF - INSIDE LINEBACKERS  Michael Rosas begins his ninth season in 2025 as an assistant on the Texas Wesleyan staff. Rosas serves as Chief of Staff as well as  Inside Linebackers Coach.  Last year, under the distinct guidance of Defensive Coordinator, Paul Duckworth, the Defense finished 14th in the NAIA, with support from Rosas, Coach Ryan Leichus, and the rest of the defensive staff. Rosas also holds the honor of coaching 3 SAC All-Conference Linebackers during his time here, which include: Dylan Pettway (4-time honoree), Tyquandrik Conner, and Josh Philips. Rosas coached 12 seasons with former Rams Head Coach Joe Prud’homme at Nolan Catholic High School, serving as Linebackers Coach, Statistical Analyst, and Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach. During his tenure, NCHS won seven TAPPS 5A State Championships. While at NCHS, Rosas also coached track and baseball. Rosas played Linebacker and Running Back and was a team captain at Nolan Catholic under Prud’homme. He received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas in 2014. He currently resides in Bedford, TX

RYAN GLOVER  |  RECRUITING COORDINATOR - WIDE RECEIVERS - DFO Ryan Glover is entering his sixth season as an assistant coach in 2025. Last season, Glover helped coach the #1 Offense in the country (57.5 PPG). Since 2021, Glover has helped coach a top-10 offense in the country each season. Glover has coached 11 All-Conference players (AJ Bobb (2x), TJ Curtis, Jaysen Price (2x), Collier Ricks, Brandon Rolfe, Ronnie Schneider, Alize Thomas, PJ Williams, and Carson Rodgers). In the 2020 season, Glover coached Ty Williams to NAIA Player of the Week against Arizona Christian. From 2017-2019, Glover coached as the Running Backs Coach at Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX. During those three seasons, all Offenses were Top 25 in the Nation. In 2017, they had the #7 Offense in the Nation, averaging over 494 yards a game. Glover coached 2 All-Conference Running Backs during that time. In 2016, Glover coached as the wide receiver coach at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA. They had the #1 Passing Offense in the MSFA during that season. While at St. Ambrose, Glover coached 3 All-Conference Receivers. 2015 Glover coached at Angelo State University as the Wide Receivers Assistant. In 2015, the Rams led the Nation in total offense at 560 yards per game. They also led the Lone Star Conference in scoring (42.5 PPG - 9th nationally), passing yards (346 YPG - 4th nationally), and first downs (294 - 4th nationally). Angelo State was also second in the LSC rushing at 214 yards per contest. Glover helped coach two All-Americans and five all-conference players. Glover graduated from Angelo State in 2016 with an undergraduate degree and earned a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the same institution in 2019.  

DARREN DRAGO | DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR - OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH Darren Drago enters his first season as Defensive Coordinator at Texas Wesleyan University, bringing more than two decades of coaching experience across the collegiate, high school, and preparatory levels. Before arriving at Texas Wesleyan, Drago served as the Defensive Coordinator and Director of Strength & Conditioning at Cistercian Preparatory Academy in Irving, Texas, for two seasons (2022–23). Prior to that, he was the Outside Linebackers Coach and Director of Strength & Conditioning at Johnson High School in Buda, Texas, for the 2022 season. In 2021, Drago was the Defensive Line Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator at Southern University, following a stint as the Outside Linebackers Coach and Interior Defensive Line Coach at UTSA. His previous collegiate stops include serving as Defensive Coordinator at the University of Arkansas–Monticello, Linebackers Coach at Henderson State University, and secondary coach/special teams coordinator at both Louisiana College and Evangel Christian Academy. While at Henderson State, Drago mentored several standout linebackers who went on to earn honors such as Preseason All-American, All-Super Region 3, and All-Great American Conference First and Second Team selections. Drago’s resume also includes two stints at Northwestern State University, where he coached multiple positions, coordinated recruiting, managed team travel, and served as liaison to the school’s academic departments. His other notable experience includes working at LSU as a defensive assistant and outside linebackers coach during the Tigers’ 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl victory, and serving as recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach (2006) and defensive coordinator (2007) at Stephen F. Austin. A four-year letterman at fullback for Northwestern State, Drago helped the Demons reach back-to-back NCAA Division I-AA semifinal appearances in 1997 and 1998, earning Southland Conference All-Academic honors in 1997. He holds a bachelor’s degree in science and a master’s degree in sports administration from Northwestern State, and is certified in strength & conditioning (2015). Drago is also an active member of the American Football Coaches Association.  

MILES BRANDON | DEFENSIVE LINE COACH - STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING - NUTRITION Miles A. Brandon, in his second season brings over 27 years of coaching experience to Texas Wesleyan University, having made significant contributions at various levels of football, including collegiate and high school programs.   2022-2023: Defensive Line Coach, Alabama State University (Division I FCS, Montgomery, AL) During his tenure at Alabama State University, the team achieved its first winning season since 2016 with a 6-5 record. Under his leadership, the defense was ranked 9th nationally at the FCS level and finished 2nd in the conference in scoring, allowing just 20.2 points per game. His defensive line was crucial in helping the team rank 3rd in total defense and 5th in rushing and passing defense within the conference. The unit recorded 24 sacks, with standout players such as DE Nelson Jordan, who led the conference with 11 sacks, and DT Andrew Ogletree, who ranked 19th with six sacks. Jordan signed with the Edmonton Elks of the CFL, while DT Brandon Gaddy ranked 21st in the conference with 12 tackles for loss and three blocked field goals. Jordan and Gaddy were invited to the HBCU Legacy Bowl All-Star game, and Gaddy participated in the Pittsburgh Steelers Mini Camp in 2023.   2018-2020: Defensive Line Coach, Sul Ross State University (Division III, Alpine, TX) At Sul Ross State University, Brandon developed a young defensive line composed of 21 freshmen, leading the unit to record 14.5 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss. Under his guidance, Fentrese Milligan earned Second Team All-ASC honors, finishing the season with 58 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.   2016-2018: Defensive Line/Linebackers Coach Hempstead High School Brandon coached four First Team All-District defensive linemen in 2016, with the unit leading the team in sacks. In 2017, he also coached a First Team All-District linebacker who led the team in tackles.   2015: Defensive Line Coach/Interim Strength & Conditioning Coach, Texas Southern University Brandon helped Texas Southern's defense achieve its best ranking since 2010, finishing 5th in the conference in total defense. He coached NFL prospect Amir Bloom and had a First Team All-SWAC defensive lineman, Derrick Lyles, who later signed with the Maine Mammoths of the Arena Football League.   2005-2014: Defensive Line Coach/Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, Prairie View A&M University At Prairie View A&M University, Brandon was instrumental in rebuilding a program that once had the nation's longest losing streak. From 2007-2010, the team enjoyed four winning seasons and won the SWAC championship in 2009, its first in over 45 years. The 2007 defensive line contributed significantly to the team's first winning season in four decades. In 2009, the defense was ranked 3rd nationally in rush and total defense. Under his guidance, Jermaine McGhee and Adrian Hamilton earned All-SWAC and All-American honors and signed contracts with NFL teams.   2000-2003: Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach, Lane College (Jackson, TN) Brandon served as the Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach at Lane College, where his defense consistently ranked in the top three in total defense, rush defense, and pass efficiency in the SIAC. In 2001, he was promoted to Head Coach, leading the team to its most significant win in school history against an FCS opponent, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 1995-2000: Defensive Line Coach/Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Morehead State University (Morehead, KY) At Morehead State University, Brandon's defensive line consistently ranked among the top three in rushing, total defense, and sacks. His efforts contributed to the school achieving its first winning season in 1996, followed by three more winning seasons.   Throughout his career, Miles A. Brandon has demonstrated a commitment to developing top-tier defensive units and mentoring players to reach their full potential on and off the field.   Professional Experience:  2006-Participated in the NCAA Coaches Academy  2006-AFCA Coaches Convention-Buzz Session-" Defensive Line Play"  2009-Bill Walsh Minority Internship-Pittsburgh Steelers-(Defensive Line)  Member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated     

Kishawn Kelley | Defensive Backs Coach Kishawn Kelley joined the Texas Wesleyan University football staff in 2024 and is entering his second season coaching the Rams’ defensive backs. A native of Corsicana, Texas, Kelley brings a diverse playing background and strong academic foundation to his role, pairing on-field experience with a commitment to developing student-athletes. Kelley was a standout quarterback at Corsicana High School, where he graduated in 2017. Rated a three-star prospect, he earned scholarship offers from every Sun Belt Conference program at the time and committed to continue his career at Texas State University. Following his time at Texas State, Kelley transferred to Fort Scott Community College, where he transitioned from quarterback to the defensive secondary, gaining valuable experience at the safety position. He later returned home to Corsicana to attend Navarro College, where he played two seasons and earned his Associate of Arts degree. Kelley’s performance at Navarro earned him a football scholarship to Nelson University, where he continued his playing career and completed his bachelor’s degree in Sports Development. After graduating, Kelley entered the coaching profession and quickly established himself as a rising young coach. At Texas Wesleyan, he has been instrumental in elevating the Rams’ secondary performance, leveraging his dual experience from his playing days on offense and defense to drive measurable improvements in player technique, game awareness, and overall unit effectiveness. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Kelley is pursuing his master’s degree in Education at Texas Wesleyan University.