Ravens Hire Defensive Line Coach
The birds are turning to a Bear to fill one of their last coaching vacancies.
Per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Baltimore Ravens are set to hire former Baylor defensive line coach Dennis Johnson into the same spot following the departure of newly-minted Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY SPORTS
Next year's downs will be Johnson's first in the NFL. He spent the past four seasons in Waco, which included a victorious run to the Sugar Bowl after the 2021 season. In that 12-win season, Baylor's rushing defense ranked second in the Big 12 in rushing defense and fourth in both total and scoring. Previous collegiate stops for Johnson, 35, include Kentucky, Northwestern State, and his alma mater LSU, where he partook in the team's undefeated regular season in 2011.
One of Johnson's Baylor proteges, Siaki Ika, earned All-American honors and later heard his name called by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the most recent draft (98th overall). He was the first Baylor defensive lineman chosen in the first three rounds of a draft since 2011 when the Browns previously chose Phil Taylor.
Though the Ravens boasted one of the most fearsome defensive units in football last season, they might have to make a few adjustments considering the looming free agency sessions of Justin Madubuike and Brent Urban. The unit is now set to be overseen by Zach Orr.
Weaver is far from the first coach plucked from the Ravens this offseason, with that list headlined by current Seattle Seahawks boss Mike Macdonald.
