Zac Taylor knows how to assemble a coaching staff. The head coach of the Bengals has Cincinnati in the Super Bowl with the same coordinators he hired in 2019 when he took over the team.
If Taylor had his way, his staff would include 35-year-old Ben Johnson, newly-named offensive coordinator of the Lions.
Taylor said Wednesday he's "tried to hire Ben many, many, many times" in any capacity after the duo spent four seasons together as offensive coaches for the Dolphins, but Johnson keeps getting promoted "to where I can't get him."
"Dan knows that," Taylor said with a smile.
That would be Dan Campbell, who also coached offense on those Dolphins teams before being promoted to interim head coach in 2015. When Campbell arrived in Detroit last year, Johnson was there waiting for him as tight ends coach -- the rare ruby in Matt Patricia's rubble. Halfway through the season, Campbell and Johnson were running the Lions offense after Campbell took over play-calling from former OC Anthony Lynn.
Now the offense belongs to Johnson, which is no surprise to Taylor.
"I've always just tried to find a place for him on staff, whether it's offense, defense, special teams, it doesn't matter," Taylor said. "He's one of those guys you want on your staff because he's a brilliant — I can’t even say young anymore. He's not that young. But back when we worked together, we were both pretty young. He’s outstanding."
Johnson is entering his 11th season as an NFL coach, all on the offensive side of the ball. The former college quarterback who holds a mathematics and computer science degree from UNC proved his acumen in Detroit when Campbell elevated him to passing game coordinator midway through last season and Jared Goff went from one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL to statistically one of the best.
"He's just really sharp," said Taylor. "He's got a mathematics background. He's much smarter than I was in school. He sees things differently. He does a great job with the analytics side of things, as well. He's just really, truthfully one of the sharpest football coaches in this league, and he's only going to continue to learn from his experiences. I think Dan knows that and that's probably why he promoted him, because he knows he's got one of the best young coaches in the league right there on his staff. Why not promote him and help him call this offense?"
It's not yet clear whether Johnson will call plays next season. Campbell has hinted at continuing in that role himself. Either way, sure sounds like the Lions' offense will be in good hands.
"Really happy for Ben and I think that’s a great move by Dan," Taylor said. "He’s going to do outstanding things in this league. He’s going to continue to grow with his experiences, like we all have. But again, I can’t say enough positive things about Ben Johnson and the role he’s going to have there in Detroit."