Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson has died

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 28, 2009 9:21 PM EDT in New York Giants News

Some very sad news tonight. Jim Johnson, the architect of the brilliant Eagles defenses of recent years, has lost his battle with cancer, he was 68.

Full story from SBNation's Bleeding Green Nation.

All of us at Big Blue View extend our condolences to the Eagles family.

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to say that Jim Johnson was a spectacular football coach

would be the understatement of the century. he was the top defensive coordinator in football by a wide margin for years. i’ll also remember Jim fondly for his work on the staff of Notre Dame’s 1977 National Championship team and through the otherwise forgettable ~~he who must not be named~~ Faust era.

i’m sorry to hear this tragic news.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Jul 28, 2009 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

What a coach Jim Johnson was

but what I find absolutely ridiculous and heartless, is that the Eagles GM is boasting about how he has the best roster in the NFL in the midst of all of this.

by nygmp42 on Jul 28, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

Totally unnecessary comment. You really think Banner made those comments after Johnson died?

Otherwise, good to see the other Giants fans recognize the difference between life and rivalries (tip of cap to you all).

by JimmyK on Jul 29, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks, Jim

Good job getting this out there.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 28, 2009 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin

"It is a sad, very sad, day. I talked recently to (Eagles video director) Mike Dougherty and asked him to let Jim know that I was thinking about him, and I had dropped Jim a note to let him know as well. Forget about what kind of coach he was…he was an excellent, excellent defensive coach, and he trained others to be the same. We know what Steve Spagnuolo meant to us. We had great respect for Jim, and he had great respect for us. I didn’t know Jim personally, but we would always talk to each other, mostly about the NFC East and what a great, competitive division it is. It was a respectful critique about what great players, coaches and organizations there are within the division. In talking with people who worked with Jim, you sense what a class act Jim was. He was great to work with and for, and he had his priorities in order. His players loved to play for him and his coaches loved to coach with him. It is a sad day for the National Football League to lose somebody the quality of Jim Johnson. It is a sad note on which to start the season. He coached right up to the very end."

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by JasonB on Jul 28, 2009 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

Profound sadness

While it was just a short while ago that I was deeply saddened upon hearing about Jim Johnson’s illness, on behalf of myself and every self respecting Giant’s fan, I would like to express my profound condolences to his family, the Eagle’s family’ and every fan who understood and realized what a truly amazing football man Jim was.
While his creative defensive genius caused our G-men enormous pain, Sunday after Sunday, one could only marvel at his skill sets. When we were blessed with the good fortune of being able to secure Spags for our Super Bowl run, we all knew and understood where Spags got his genius from. Yes, he was a prodigy of the infinite master named JJ.
Jim, may you rest in peace, and may your family be comforted. Know that even us Giant’s fans will always take off our hats at the mention of your name. While I passionately hope that we get our revenge on the Eagles this year, for me, it will always be with an asterix beside it, because the Eagles of 2009 and beyond, will be missing one of the greatest football minds of all time.
Your legacy will live forever, even in the heart of this fanatic and diehard Giants fan. The rivalry will never quite be the same, and you will be forever missed.

by CPoster5 on Jul 28, 2009 10:41 PM EDT reply actions

one of the nicest things i've read about him so far

It helps to know he made an impression on others outside the Eagles family…. thanks for your thoughts and words.

Eagles.

by #1EaglesFan on Jul 29, 2009 3:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Amen to that.

As another die-hard Giants fan, the best tribute I can pay to Jim Johnson’s memory is recalling the sinking feeling I would get twice a year (not counting playoffs), looking over at the opposite sideline, seeing him there and realizing that, win or lose, our offense had its work cut out for it that day. Life and football will go on, but really, the rivalry won’t be the same without him.

by django48 on Jul 30, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

He ran the best defensive unit in the league over the last decade

One that was able to keep gaming regardless of the personnel situation. Condolences all around for the Eagles and their fanbase, as it always sucks to lose a member of the family/one you admire.

by brisulph on Jul 29, 2009 7:51 AM EDT reply actions