clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Meet Your New Defensive Line Coach: Bill Johnson

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.


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