Inside the Article:
According to a tweet from Tom Pelissero, the Texans, who fired head coach Lovie Smith on Sunday, requested an interview with the Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson for their head coaching job.
In his first season as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Ben Johnson made a significant impact, helping the unit improve in various metrics and finish the regular season with the fifth-highest scoring average in the league.
As a result, Johnson is expected to be a hot commodity in the offseason, with several teams needing new head coaches potentially considering him as a candidate. Despite having only one year of experience as a coordinator, Johnson has shown creativity and the ability to get the most out of the team’s best players, earning praise from head coach Dan Campbell.
Why it Matters:
The success of the Lions’ offense under Johnson’s guidance is significant because it demonstrates his potential as a play-caller and leader. His performance this season has likely caught the attention of other teams around the league, who may be looking for fresh ideas and a fresh approach to turn their offenses around. Johnson’s background and experience may make him an attractive candidate for a head coaching or coordinator position, especially if he can continue to develop and evolve as a coach.
The Big Picture:
The Texans, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, and Arizona Cardinals currently have head coaching vacancies.
What they are saying about Ben Johnson
“I have not gotten anything yet, but no, I would certainly not be shocked,” Campbell said. “He would be worthy of that, I think a ton of Ben, I said it before, I just think he’s extremely bright, he’s creative, he’s organized, he’s a great communicator. I mean, he’s got it, and I would do anything I can to help him. That’s the bottom line. Of course, I don’t want to lose him, but I’m not gonna hold him back either. I would help him any way I can help him.”
