Merv Johnson honored

Thursday, March 6th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ The Oklahoma chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame is presenting its first Integrity in College Coaching award to former OU football assistant Merv Johnson.

Johnson spent 20 years as an assistant at OU, where he coached 19 All-Americans and the Sooners won five Big Eight titles and a national championship.

He now serves as director of football operations and is a special assistant to the athletic director.

``We wanted to present an award that focused on integrity in college coaching. We thought Merv was the best example of integrity in coaching and great role model for future coaches,'' said Gerald Gurney, a board member for the chapter.

Johnson will receive the award March 20 at the organization's scholar-athlete banquet.

In subsequent years, the award will be named for Johnson and will be presented to a college coach on any level in Oklahoma.