Mattie T’s Tribute to Jim Johnson (1941-2009)
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on July 28, 2009
The National Football League is mourning an outstading icon in their storied history, as longtime Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson lost his battle with cancer today at the age of 68.
Johnson grew up in Maywood, Illinois & attended college at the University of Missouri, where he played quarterback for all 4 seasons there.
The 1963 NFL Draft came & went without a team for Johnson, but he was later signed by the Buffalo Bills, where he played tight end for 2 seasons.
Jim spent time at 3 different colleges (Missouri Southern, Drake University & Indiana University) before finally getting his huge break in 1977 as defensive backs coach at Notre Dame, as they won a national championship in Johnson’s first year there.
He was later promoted to defensive coordinator, a position he would serve until 1983.
Johnson then had 2 short UFL stints before getting his first NFL job, which was defensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals in 1986. He was later promoted to secondary coach in 1990 & helped then-rookie Aeneas Williams become the 1st rookie cornerback to lead the league in interceptions since Everson Walls had 11 int’s in 1981 for the Dallas Cowboys.
Jim then joined the Indianapolis Colts’ staff as their linebackers coach in 1994 & served his first defensive coordinator position for two seasons before getting fired.
Johnson then moved on to the Seattle Seahawks, who returned 8 takeaways for touchdowns in his first season there as linebackers coach in 1998 for the 2nd highest total in NFL history, only trailing the 2000 Baltimore Ravens (11 touchdowns scored from takeaways).
Jim Johnson joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999 & made his presence felt immediately, as the Eagles led the NFL with 46 takeaways.
Philadelphia also had 26 Pro Bowl selections over Johnson’s 11-year tenure there, with big-name players including Brian Dawkins, Jeremiah Trotter, Hugh Douglas, Troy Vincent & Lito Sheppard.
Johnson’s final game with the Eagles as defensive coordinator was during their 32-25 NFC Championship Game loss in January to his 1st NFL team, the Arizona Cardinals.
Jim is survived by his wife Vicky, two children & four grandchildren.
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