Jim Johnson (football coach)

NFL PlayerCoach
Name=Jim Johnson


fontcolor=white
DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1941|5|26
Birthplace= Maywood, Illinois
DateOfDeath=
College=Missouri
Position=Tight end
Defensive coordinator
player=yes
years=1963-1964
teams=Buffalo Bills
Position=Defensive Coordinator
Defensive line coach
secondary coach
coach=yes
coachingyears=1986-1993

1994-1997

1998

1999-"present"

coachingteams=Arizona Cardinals
(Defensive line & Secondary)
Indianapolis Colts
(Defensive Coordinator)
Seattle Seahawks
(Defensive Coordinator)
Philadelphia Eagles
(Defensive coordinator)

Jim Johnson (born May 26, 1941) is currently the defensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles, having joined the Eagles in 1999.

Johnson is generally accepted as one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. His ability to change blitzing schemes to adjust to his opponents is a large factor in the Eagles success since 2000. The Eagles have accumulated the 3rd best record in the NFL over his time with Philadelphia.Fact|date=February 2007

Because head coach Andy Reid is known more for his acumen on the offensive side of the ball, he has given complete control of the defensive unit of the team to Johnson, allowing Reid to concentrate on running the offense with his offensive coordinator, Marty Mornhinweg. Reid has repeatedly said he has full confidence in Johnson and the Eagles rewarded him accordingly, as he currently is one of the highest paid coordinators in the NFL.

Johnson's tenure in Philadelphia has been his most successful, as the Eagles have won 5 division titles, each reaping the benefits of Jim's defence. His schemes strive on putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and he is often called the "Master of the Blitz". On January 22, 1999, Eagles head coach Andy Reid targeted and hired Jim Johnson as the Eagles new defensive coordinator. A veteran of 21 seasons as a NFL assistant, Johnson has proven to be the right man leading the team's defense in becoming one of the most respected units in the NFL.

"As I've said many times, Jim Johnson is the best in the business at what he does," said Reid upon signing his prized defensive coordinator to a lucrative four-year contract extension in 2005. "His defensive units continue to produce at a very high level as he puts a lot of pressure on opposing offenses."

The Eagles defense knows only one way to play and that is to attack. From 2000-07, Johnson's units rank tied for first in the NFL with 342 sacks, second in the league in 3rd down efficiency (34.3%) and red zone touchdown percentage (43.0%), and fourth in fewest points allowed (17.6 per game).

In 2001, Johnson's unit became the fourth team in NFL history to go all 16 games without allowing more than 21 points. Their streak of allowing 21 or fewer in 34 straight games was second longest in NFL history (Minnesota, 1968-71). In 1999, Johnson's unit forced a NFL-best 46 turnovers, including a team-record 5 interceptions returned for TDs.

As the Eagles defensive chief, Johnson's defense has produced 24 Pro Bowl selections: Brian Dawkins (6), Troy Vincent (5), Jeremiah Trotter (4), Hugh Douglas (3), Lito Sheppard (2), Trent Cole (1), Michael Lewis (1), Corey Simon (1), and Bobby Taylor (1).

In 1998, Johnson helped the Seahawks register 10 TDs on defense, including 8 INTs returned for scores, 2nd most in NFL history. He arrived in Seattle after a four-year tenure in Indianapolis, the last two as defensive coordinator.

He spent eight seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (1986-93). After overseeing the Cards defensive line for four seasons, Johnson excelled as their secondary coach, helping Aeneas Williams become the first rookie cornerback to lead the league in interceptions (6) since 1981.

Johnson began his coaching career as head coach at Missouri Southern (1967-68), before serving four-year tenures at Drake and Indiana. From 1977-83, Johnson served as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Notre Dame, a stint that included a national championship in 1977.

An all-conference quarterback himself at Missouri (where he played in the same backfield with long-time NFL executive Bill Tobin), Johnson went on to spend two seasons with Buffalo as a tight end (1963-64).

A native of Maywood, Ill., the 66-year-old Johnson (born 5/26/41) has a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in physical education from Missouri. He and his wife, Vicky, reside in suburban Philadelphia. They have two children, Scott and Michelle, and four grandchildren, Katie, Justin, Brandon, and Jax. - From PhiladelphiaEagles.com