That's a huge Johnson. (AP Photo Jack Dempsey)
The Saints made the second move in their effort to vastly improve their defense this off-season when they hired defensive line coach Bill Johnson yesterday, replacing newly departed Ed Orgeron.
I agree with the sentiment that has been expressed here on CSC already that the hiring of Bill Johnson as defensive line coach before the hiring of a defensive coordinator seems unusual or silly. One would assume the ideal situation would be to choose a defensive coordinator and allow him to at least have input on the assistants he wants around him.
But the seeming high demand for Johnson may have put the Saints in a must-sign situation if they really felt strongly about him. Johnson just finished interviewing with the Packers, the Saints new coach-recruiting rival, and had another interview lined up already with the Seahawks following the Saints. I admit that this stands in stark contrast to my pleas for patience yesterday regarding Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator but I think it's necessary to differentiate the importance of the two positions. Remember also that the new defensive coordinator will already be left with quite a few other assistants that remain from Gibbs' reign. He may not like quite a lot of the defensive coaching personnel he will inherit but cleaning house and appointing a new team of coaches just ain't happening. Waiting to hire a new defensive coordinator and allowing him to choose his own line coach would have been a mere luxury.
I couldn't dig up too much dirt on Johnson. Be sure to read the introduction article on the New Orleans Saints official website. I also grabbed a list of Johnson's coaching resume found in the Bronco's media guide. Here's the rundown.
JOHNSON’S
COACHING EXPERIENCE
8 NFL Season's Completed
Denver Broncos
Defensive Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007-08
Atlanta Falcons
Defensive Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001-06
University of Arkansas
Defensive Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2000
Texas A&M University
Defensive Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1992-99
University of Arkansas
Defensive Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1990-91
Louisiana Tech University
Defensive Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1988-89
University of Miami
Graduate Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1987
McNeese State University
Outside Linebackers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1986
Defensive Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1985
Northwestern State University
Defensive Ends/Linebackers . . . . . . . . . . . .1982-84
Graduate Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1980-81