The self-described "old school" coach has been in the job about six weeks and knows he is still in the honeymoon phase.
He is stepping into the successful shoes of Mike Hesson, who delivered the province its first national banner in 20 years when Otago won the one-day tournament in 2007-08.
The following season, there was a twenty/20 title to shout about as well.
It was a golden period in Otago cricket but Johnson is a seasoned campaigner and has the credentials to make the move a success.
Johnson took 64 wickets at an average of 35.98 in 27 first-class matches for Otago between 1984 and 1991. But it is as a coach he has really made his mark, particularly for Wellington.
Johnson coached Otago from 1995 to 1997 and had some success, helping the Volts reach the final of the first-class competition.
During his stint in the capital, Wellington captured two first-class titles (2000-01 and 2003-04) and a one-day title (2001-02), and won four Cricket Max titles. He also worked as a specialist bowling coach for New Zealand Cricket from 2007 to 2010.
It is a record that demands respect and so far, everyone in the Otago camp has been receptive to his ideas. But then, the team's resolve has not been tested yet. Otago opens its season with a Plunket Shield match against Canterbury in Rangiora beginning on Monday.
That is when the team's character will begin to emerge, he said.
"You have to remember this is the honeymoon period," he said.
"When the water starts crackling a bit and there are a few white waves, then that will test our resolve."
As Johnson sees it, his role is not to come in and reinvent the wheel, or undo all the good work Hesson helped achieve; rather, it is to wring another 10% out of the players. That is where the hard work comes in.
"I was brought up in an era when we didn't have all the trainers and the sport science stuff that is available to us now, so I suppose I'm old school.
"But what I believe in is doing the basics well and training hard. I expect everybody to do everything they possibly can to win a game of cricket."
That means doing a lot of work early in the season to get everyone up to speed. Balancing workloads comes later in the season once the miles have been clocked, he said.
"That way, when the pressure goes on and we need to perform, we have done the work."
He tiptoes into his next point, aware his idea might upset one or two.
"I don't think some of them work as hard as they need to at times.
"I think there has been the odd player who has had one eye on the time hoping to squeeze a game of golf in, instead of rolling up the sleeves and doing extra work in the nets.
"You can come up with the best plan in the world but unless you execute it, it is a waste of time. And the key to that is to over-train at practice and make sure we get it right."
Hard work is non-negotiable and he hopes that approach will help foster the confidence for players to take a few risks and look for ways to win rather than worry about defeat.
"If there is a 50-50 situation, I'd rather go forward and attack the game. We've got to be prepared to lose a game so we can win it. I want us to play with no fear."
Five to watch
NEIL WAGNER
The South African-born Otago left-armer grabbed the headlines last summer when he became the first player to take five wickets in an over in the history of first-class cricket. It was superb finish to a remarkable season in which the 25-year-old took 51 wickets at an average of 18.15.
Wagner will become eligible to play for New Zealand at the end of this season.
DEREK DE BOORDER
The Otago wicketkeeper-batsman has built a reputation as a quality gloveman but last summer his batting came of age.
The diminutive right-hander was Otago's second-leading scorer in the Plunket Shield and fourth overall with 667 runs at an average of 66.70. He was also impressive in the one-day competition with 274 runs at 68.50.
BRENDAN TAYLOR
The Zimbabwe captain is a key man in, and a calming influence on, the top order.
The 25-year-old right-hander is an experienced one-day player with more than 120 appearances for his country. A naturally aggressive player, he loves getting on the front foot and punching drives down the ground or cutting the ball over gully.
DALE STEYN
The South African fast bowler's record speaks for itself. His pace and ability to move the ball away from the right-hander has enabled him to take 238 test wickets at an average of 22.99.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed great success against the Blacks Caps with 36 wickets at 16.67.
Among his favourite test victims is New Zealand opener Brendon McCullum, who has succumbed on four occasions.
SHANE WATSON
The blond, barrel-chested Australian all-rounder is perhaps better suited to limited-overs cricket but has reinvented himself as a test opener and change bowler. He had early success with seven 50s and a century in his first eight tests in the new role. His aggressive approach at the top of the innings and confrontational style with the ball makes him one of those players New Zealanders love to hate.
Three big games
• The University Oval has hosted tests against Bangladesh, West Indies and Pakistan but the March test against South Africa is a step up in class for the Black Caps. The Proteas are the No 2-ranked test side and boast a very talented line-up.
• The Boxing Day test between Australia and India has all the makings of a cracking game not to be missed. Tendulkar v Ponting. Dravid v Hussey. Going to be great.
• Otago has a new coach and captain this summer and it is important the team starts well in its opening Plunket Shield fixture against Canterbury, beginning on Monday.
