LSU's newest assistant joins staff for Friday practice

You don’t usually hear about a team hiring a new on-field assistant coach this close to Week 1, but LSU had a unique situation. Returning defensive line coach Dennis Johnson tore both his patellar tendons playing pick-up basketball in July. With Dennis Johnson still recovering, LSU coach Ed Orgeron hired veteran NFL assistant Bill Johnson to the Tigers coaching staff.

Bill Johnson’s hire was reported on Thursday morning. He has now cleared a background and is officially an LSU assistant. Reporters saw both Johnsons at Friday’s practice. Orgeron himself is familiar with coaching the defensive line position and has also been involved while Dennis Johnson recovers.

New #LSU defensive line coach Bill Johnson has cleared his background check and can coach now. He’s at practice today, but Ed Orgeron is still quite involved with the d-line during individual drills.

— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) August 16, 2019

#LSU has a full slate coaching the DL at practice.

Ed Orgeron, new hire Bill Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Kenechi Udeze and Christian LaCouture all out here with the group. @Geaux247 pic.twitter.com/juQQluZ3jF

— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) August 16, 2019

Bill Johnson bounced around the NFL from 2001-18:

• Falcons (2001–2006)
• Broncos (2007–2008)
• Saints (2009–2016)
• Rams (2017–2018)

He was not retained by the Rams after the 2018 season.