Report: Cardinals to hire Don Johnson as defensive line coach
Jan 24, 2018, 1:54 PM | Updated: 2:16 pm
San Diego Chargers defensive line coach Don Johnson looks on during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Former Chargers defensive line coach Don Johnson is expected to join head coach Steve Wilks’ Arizona Cardinals staff in the same position, reports 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Mike Jurecki.
Johnson worked for San Diego from 2009-15. For the first three years of that tenure, he was co-workers with Wilks, who was then the defensive backs coach.
Prior to his time with the Chargers, Johnson coached the defensive line for the Chicago Bears (2005-06) and Oakland Raiders (2007-08).
The defensive line position was previously held by Brentson Buckner.
Wilks has moved quickly in attempting to fill in his coaching staff by the Super Bowl.
He reportedly will hire long-time Giants secondary coach David Merritt and has made strides in reviewing candidates for both coordinator positions.
Wilks is expected to hire his former Panthers colleague Al Holcomb as defensive coordinator, and the man who formerly held the title, James Bettcher, has agreed to join the New York Giants in the same position.
Harold Goodwin appears on the way out as Arizona’s offensive coordinator, and well-regarded offensive mind Mike McCoy is among potential candidates to take over.
