Lions’ Former Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson Named AP Assistant Coach of the Year

Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions' former offensive coordinator, received the Associated Press (AP) Assistant Coach of the Year award on Thursday, Feb. 6, at NFL Honors in New Orleans. According to a Press Democrat report, Johnson received 29 first-place votes. After the Lions lost in the playoffs, Johnson was named head coach for the Chicago Bears.

In addition to Johnson, former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores were also in the running for the Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Johnson, who joined the Lions' coaching staff in 2019, assumed the offensive coordinator role in 2022. In that role, he directed the Lions to top-five offenses across three consecutive seasons. During the 2024 season, the Lions led the NFL in points scored (533) and ranked 13th in NFL history for points per game rank (31.4). The Lions finished second in yards per game (409.5) and completed 10 games with more than 30 points per game.

In January 2025, Johnson was named the Pro Football Writers Association's Assistant Coach of the Year for the second straight season. He also received a nomination for the Associated Press award in 2024; however, that award went to Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator and former Lions head coach Jim Swartz.

A nationwide panel of 50 AP sports journalists members completes its voting for the Assistant Coach of the Year award each year before the NFL playoffs begin.