Eagles OC Brian Johnson Interviews For Falcons Head Coach Job
Jan 18, 2024, 5:00 PM
Offensive coordinator Brian Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on September 14, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Utes quarterback and current Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson interviewed for the head coach opening with the Atlanta Falcons.
Falcons interview Brian Johnson for head coach job
The Falcons announced that Johnson had interviewed for the team’s top coaching job on Thursday, January 18.
After Atlanta failed to qualify for the postseason with a 7-10 record, the team fired former head coach Arthur Smith.
Johnson will reportedly interview with the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers for their head coach openings as well.
We have interviewed Eagles Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson for our head coach opening
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 18, 2024
Other Candidates
Since then, the Falcons have interviewed multiple candidates and have reportedly put in requests to interview more NFL assistant coaches. Here are the individuals the team has interviewed for the head coaching job:
- Brian Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator)
- Bill Belichick (former New England Patriots head coach)
- Jim Harbaugh (Michigan Wolverines head coach)
- Anthony Weaver (Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach/defensive line)
- Ejiro Evero (Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator)
- Antonio Pierce (Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach)
- Steve Wilks (San Francisco 49ers head coach)
- Brian Callahan (Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator)
- Mike Macdonald (Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator)
- Aaron Glenn (Detroit Lions defensive coordinator)*
- Ben Johnson (Detroit Lions offensive coordinator)*
- Raheem Morris (Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator)*
- Bobby Slowik (Houston Texans offensive coordinator)*
*interview request reported (NFL Network/ESPN/Sports Illustrated, per Falcons)
In November 2023, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said that he expected Johnson to be a hot candidate for head coach positions this offseason.
RELATED: Jalen Hurts: Eagles QB Coach Brian Johnson ‘Going To Be A Star One Day’
“I think the first names that are gonna come off a lot of people’s will be Ben Johnson (Lions offensive coordinator) and Brian Johnson,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. “I think those are gonna be the two guys who get a ton of interviews.”
"Ben Johnson and Brian Johnson will be at the top of a lot of teams list for Head Coaching jobs..
I could see Aaron Glenn and Dan Quinn getting a lot of interviews as well" @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/LyFeZlAEZx
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 27, 2023
Johnson was promoted to offensive coordinator of the Eagles in February 2023 after former Philly OC Shane Steichen was hired as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
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In his first season as Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator, Johnson helped the Eagles to a 10-1 start. The Eagles finished their season with a 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round of the postseason. Philadelphia lost six of its final seven games.
Under Johnson’s play-calling, the Eagles ended the regular season as one of the NFL’s top offenses. Philadelphia ranked No. 7 in the league with an average of 25.5 points per game.
About Brian Johnson
Before his coaching career, the Barrett Station, Texas native was a standout player for the Utes. Johnson played at Utah from 2004-08.
During his four seasons in Salt Lake City, the former quarterback threw for 7,853 yards, 57 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions with a 66.2 percent completion rate.
NCAA Football cover model ✅
Youngest OC in college football ✅
One of the voices in Jalen Hurts’ ear amidst a breakout season ✅Meet #Eagles QBs coach Brian Johnson. pic.twitter.com/KZXUBUjxSA
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 14, 2022
Johnson had a program-best 26-7 record as Utah’s starting quarterback. His career was highlighted by a special undefeated senior season capped with a Sugar Bowl victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide.
After playing, Johnson returned to Utah in 2010 as the Utes’ quarterbacks coach. In 2012, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham promoted Johnson to offensive coordinator.
Jalen Hurts is the NFC Offensive Player of the Month, and @PSchrags says the @Eagles' QB Coach deserves a lot of credit 🦅
"Former @Utah_Football QB Brian Johnson is going to be an NFL head coach some day." pic.twitter.com/KYfBaijALe
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) September 29, 2022
Two years later, Johnson was hired as Mississippi State’s quarterbacks coach. He was with the Bulldogs through the 2016 season. In 2017, the former Ute spent one season as Houston’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach before taking another job. Former Mississippi State and Florida head coach Dan Mullen hired Johnson as his quarterbacks coach for the second time, this time with the Gators.
After two seasons, Mullen promoted Johnson to Florida’s offensive coordinator. Johnson held that position for one season. In 2021, the former Utah star jumped to the NFL. Then first-year Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni hired Johnson as Philadelphia’s quarterbacks coach.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
