Johnson and athletic director Chet Gladchuk have discussed downgrading Navy's schedule to include more beatable opponents. Div. I-AA schools, which former head coach Charlie Weatherbie refused to play, have been reinstated to future schedules.
For instance, a scheduled game at Washington next season has been replaced by a home contest against Virginia Military Institute. Gladchuk has stated emphatically that Navy will never drop Notre Dame.
"I can understand playing Notre Dame every year. That game has a lot of history and meaning," Johnson said recently. "But you don't need to play Boston College and N.C. State on top of it. How are you going to have a successful season when you schedule yourself six losses before you start? It's all right to play Notre Dame. I think that's a great rivalry. But be smart. In between, play Buffalo and somebody from Div. I-AA."
