Former Saints DL Coach Wins USFL Championship Ring

Former Saints defensive line coach wins a USFL Championship ring with the Birmingham Stallions.

New Orleans, LA — Bill Johnson is familiar with winning championships as a defensive line coach. On Saturday night, he won another ring with the Birmingham Stallions as they took home the inaugural 2022 USFL Championship by defeating the Philadelphia Stars 33-30.  

Nov 18, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson reacts during the game against the Oakland Raiders at the O.co Coliseum. The Saints defeated the Raiders 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson was with New Orleans from 2009-2016 and was a member of Sean Payton's Super Bowl XLIV winning staff. He also won two college football national titles, one as a graduate assistant with the Miami Hurricanes in 1987 and another with LSU in 2019.

Will Smith, Sedrick Ellis, Sheldon Rankins, Cam Jordan, Trey Hendrickson, are a few of the names of defensive linemen that Bill Johnson coached. David Onyemata owes his career in New Orleans because of a one-on-one workout he and Johnson had before the 2016 NFL Draft. 

Aug 22, 2011; Oxnard, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson at training camp at the River Ridge Fields at the Residence Inn. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints players loved Bill Johnson's passion and animated speeches during practice sessions.

Saints Training Camp and Preseason

The Saints will once again stay home at their practice facility in Metairie, and the rookies report on July 19. Veterans will join them a week later on July 26.

New Orleans has their first preseason game is on the road against the Texans on Saturday, Aug. 13, and the team will have a quick turnaround the following week with joint practices in Green Bay with the Packers leading up to their second contest on Friday, Aug. 19. The Saints will then be at home for their preseason finale on Friday, Aug. 26.

Read More Saints News:

• Cam Jordan's Hilarious Quotes from U.K. Interview
• 4 Reasons You Can't Blame Jameis Winston for 2021
• Saints Potential Dark Horse Candidates to Watch in Training Camp
• Saints 5 Best Offseason Decisions
• NFC South Offseason Report Cards
• Saints' Michael Thomas is Running Routes
• Nagging Saints Questions: Who's Better, Kwon or Pete?
• Top 5 Running Backs in the NFC South
• Top 5 Quarterbacks in the NFC South
• Payton Turner Says He's Been Medically Cleared