Johnny Roland

Last updated

Johnny Roland
Johnny Roland.jpg
No. 23
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1943-05-21) May 21, 1943 (age 80)
Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school: Roy Miller
(Corpus Christi, Texas)
College: Missouri (1962, 1964–1965)
NFL draft: 1965  / Round: 4 / Pick: 54
AFL draft: 1965  / Round:  Redshirt 1  / Pick: 4
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
As a player
As a coach
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:3,750
Rushing average:3.7
Rushing touchdowns:28
Receptions:153
Receiving yards:1,430
Receiving touchdowns:6
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Johnny Earl Roland (born May 21, 1943) is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a running back for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1966 to 1972 and the New York Giants in 1973. Roland played college football for the Missouri Tigers, earning consensus All-American honors as a defensive back in 1965. After his playing days, he served as an assistant coach with the number of NFL teams and at the University of Notre Dame. Roland was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1998.

Contents

Playing career

High school

Roland played high school football at Roy Miller High School in Corpus Christi, Texas and led the team to a 13–1 record and the 4A State Championship. [1]

College

Roland played college football at the University of Missouri. In 1962, he rushed for 830 yards, seventh best total in the nation, and scored 78 points, ninth in the nation. This rushing total included 155 yards against Oklahoma State University and 104 against Iowa State University. [2] One of his most notable games that season was his first varsity game, where he rushed for 171 yards and three touchdowns. [1] That season, Roland earned his first All-Big Eight Conference honor.

Thought to have stolen a pair of tires, Roland was forced to leave the team and the school during the 1963 season and worked that year in Kansas City. [1] He was welcomed back to the team in 1964 and was moved to the defensive back position. He led his team to a 6–3–1 record and was again chosen as an All-Big Eight Conference player. In 1965, Roland led the Tigers to an 8–2–1 record and a victory in the 1966 Sugar Bowl over the Florida Gators, 20–18. That season, he was named the team's captain, was voted a College All-American, and again was on the All-Big Eight team. [2] By being named the captain of the 1965 team, Roland was the first African-American to serve as the captain for any University of Missouri athletic team. [1]

Roland had his jersey retired (#23) by Missouri and was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998. [2]

Professional

Roland was drafted in the fourth round of the 1965 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals and was named UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year in 1966. [3] He played for seven seasons with the Cardinals, and he became the franchise's leading rusher (since broken). He then went on to play for one season with the New York Giants. Roland played in 103 NFL games, during which he rushed for 3,750 yards and 28 touchdowns on 1,015 attempts, caught 153 passes for 1,430 yards and six touchdowns, returned 49 punts for 452 yards with two touchdowns, returned 22 kickoffs for 444 yards, and completed five of 13 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown.

Coaching career

First stint with Green Bay (1974)

Roland's former college coach, Dan Devine, hired Roland to be the Green Bay Packers special assignments coach in 1974. While there, he coordinated some of the first computer programs used by Packers coaches, as well as scouting college talent and coaching. [4]

Notre Dame (1975)

Roland then followed Devine to the University of Notre Dame, where he was an assistant coach in 1975. [4]

Philadelphia Eagles (1976–1978)

Roland was the running backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1976 to 1978 under head coach Dick Vermeil. [5] During his time there, Roland coached Wilbert Montgomery, who helped lead Philadelphia to Super Bowl XV and remains the Eagles' all-time leading rusher. [6]

Chicago Bears (1983–1992)

Roland was hired by Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka in 1983 to help coach running back Walter Payton, who at the time stood 2,108 yards from Jim Brown's NFL rushing record and then broke the mark in 1984. Roland also coached Payton's successor Neal Anderson, whom Roland coached into the Bears' second all-time leading rusher. [7] The Bears during Roland's tenure led the league in rushing four times, and finished among the top three in seven of his 11 seasons. From 1984 to 1988, Chicago rushed for 160.9 yards per game, went 62–17 (.785), made the playoffs five straight years and won Super Bowl XX. [4] [8]

New York Jets (1993–1994)

Roland was the running backs coach for the New York Jets from 1993 to 1994.

St. Louis Rams (1995–1996)

Roland joined the St. Louis Rams in 1995 and coached running back Jerome Bettis during Bettis' last year with the Rams before playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. [4]

Arizona Cardinals (1997–2003)

Roland joined the Arizona Cardinals in 1997. During his final season with the Cardinals in 2003, he coached Emmitt Smith who was traded by the Dallas Cowboys in the offseason. By coaching Smith, Roland became the only coach to work with the two all-time leading NFL rushers (Payton and Smith). [4]

Second stint with Green Bay (2004)

Roland started his second stint with Green Bay in 2004 as the coach for Ahman Green, who was the National Football Conference's leading rusher in 2003 and second all-time leading rusher in franchise history. [4] [9] Roland coached in Green Bay for only one season before being hired by the New Orleans Saints. He left the Packers because he reportedly had differences with head coach Mike Sherman and the Packers had reservations about Roland's work ethic. [10]

New Orleans Saints (2005)

Roland joined the New Orleans Saints in 2005 under head coach Jim Haslett. Haslett was fired the following season and replaced with Sean Payton, who chose not to retain Roland. [11]

Personal life

Roland lives in St. Louis, and has two sons, Johnny, Jr. and James, and one daughter, Cynnamon. [4] He owned part of a radio station, KIRL, in St. Louis, until it filed for bankruptcy in 2004. [12] He also owns WRBZ in Wetumpka, Alabama. Roland was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Sanders</span> American football player (born 1968)

Barry David Sanders is an American former football running back who played for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and in rushing touchdowns once, establishing himself as one of the most elusive runners in the history of the NFL with his quickness and agility, despite being only 5 ft 8 in tall and weighing 203 lbs. Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. As a junior in 1988, he compiled what is widely considered the greatest individual season by a running back in college football history, rushing for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 11 games. He won the Heisman Trophy and was unanimously recognized as an All-American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Jackson</span> American football player (born 1983)

Steven Rashad Jackson is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams. He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers and was selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Rams, where he spent his first nine seasons. In his final three seasons, he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons from 2013 to 2014 and the New England Patriots in 2015. Named to three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams during his Rams tenure, Jackson is the franchise's all-time leading rusher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Gore</span> American football player (born 1983)

Franklin Gore Sr. is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. A member of the San Francisco 49ers during most of his career, he ranks third in NFL career rushing yards. His career was also noted for its longevity, rare for his position, and he holds the league record for games played by a running back.

Johnathan Jerone Arrington is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears, earning consensus All-American recognition in 2004. Arrington was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He also played for the Denver Broncos and had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League (UFL). He also was the last player to get the Pop Warner Award.

Marcel Cornelius Shipp is a former American football running back and current coach. He played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) from 2001 to 2008 for the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2001, and played with them through the 2007 season. He was signed for a short time by the Texans in 2008. He played college football at University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass). Shipp was last the running backs coach for the New York Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Christman</span> American football player (1918–1970)

Paul Joseph Christman was an American football quarterback. He played college football for the Missouri Tigers and professionally for the Chicago Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted in the second round of the 1941 NFL Draft by the Cardinals. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Peterson (American football, born 1979)</span> American football player and coach (born 1979)

Adrian Nicholas Peterson is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) and United Football League (UFL). He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft, playing eight seasons for Chicago. Then he played for the Virginia Destroyers in the UFL. He played college football for the Georgia Southern Eagles, where he set numerous school, Southern Conference, and NCAA Division I-AA records, as well as winning two I-AA National Championships and receiving the Walter Payton Award for most outstanding player in I-AA football. He is currently serving as the director of student-athlete development for Georgia Southern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Payton</span> American football player (1953–1999)

Walter Jerry Payton was an American professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears. Nicknamed "Sweetness", he is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Payton is remembered as a prolific rusher, once holding records for career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards, and many other categories. Payton also retired with the most receptions by a non-receiver, and he had eight career touchdown passes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Louis Rams</span> Professional American football team in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1995 to 2015

The St. Louis Rams were a professional American football team of the National Football League (NFL). They played in St. Louis, Missouri from 1995 through the 2015 season, before moving back to Los Angeles, California, where the team had played from 1946 to 1994.

MacArthur Lane was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons, from 1968 to 1978 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Kansas City Chiefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1985 Chicago Bears season</span> NFL team season (won Super Bowl)

The 1985 season was the Chicago Bears' 66th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coach Mike Ditka.

The 1977 Chicago Bears season was their 58th regular season completed in the National Football League. The team finished with a 9–5 record, which was their first winning season since 1967 and earned them a wild card spot against the Dallas Cowboys, who eventually beat the Bears 37–7 en route to a Super Bowl victory. This was their first postseason appearance since winning the 1963 championship. They secured this by winning their last six games, including among others the last of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ record run of twenty-six losses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeMarco Murray</span> American football player and coach (born 1988)

DeMarco Murray is an American football coach and former player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. A three-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time first-team All-Pro, he was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 when he led the NFL in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Willard Harrell is an American former football running back and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons with the Green Bay Packers and seven years with the St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football for the Pacific Tigers and was selected by the Packers in the third round of the 1975 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lew Carpenter</span> American football player and coach (1932–2010)

Lewis Glen Carpenter was an American football player and coach. He played college football for the University of Arkansas and professionally for ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL) as a halfback and fullback with the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers. He played on three NFL Championship teams, with Detroit in 1953 and with Green Bay in 1961 and 1962. After his playing career ended, Carpenter spent 31 years as an assistant coach in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings (1964–1966), Atlanta Falcons (1967–1968), Washington Redskins (1969), St. Louis Cardinals (1970–1972), Houston Oilers (1970–1974), Green Bay Packers (1975–1985), Detroit Lions (1987–1988), and Philadelphia Eagles (1990–1994). Carpenter also coached the Frankfurt Galaxy of the World League of American Football in 1996 and at Southwest Texas State University. He concluded his 47 years of playing and coaching football at the end of the 1996 season. Scientific tests on his brain diagnosed post-mortem that he had an advanced case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Forte</span> American football player (born 1985)

Matthew Garrett Forte is an American former professional football player who was a running back for ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tulane Green Wave and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Forte established himself as a dual-threat running back capable of earning yards as a rusher and receiver. He is one of only three players on the "1,000-yard rushing, 100-catch season" club. Forte spent eight seasons with the Bears before playing for the New York Jets for two seasons.

Frank Gerald Mestnik was an American football fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After graduation, he was selected by the Cardinals in the 15th round of the 1960 NFL Draft. He also had stints in the NFL with the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, but saw no playing time with them. Mestnik additionally spent a year with the Newark Bears of the Continental Football League (COFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Green Bay Packers season</span> NFL team season

The 2009 Green Bay Packers season was the team's 91st season overall and their 89th in the National Football League (NFL). The Packers finished with an 11–5 record but lost in the wild card round of the playoffs to the Arizona Cardinals 51–45. They scored a then franchise record 461 points besting the 1996 Super Bowl team's 456. Charles Woodson was named Defensive Player of the Year for the season, leading the league with 9 interceptions. The defense ranked 1st in the league against the run.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Gurley</span> American football player (born 1994)

Todd Jerome Gurley II is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, earning first-team All-SEC honors. He was selected by the Rams with the 10th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Joseph N. Bukant was an American football fullback who played for five seasons in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for Washington University in St. Louis, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1938 NFL Draft. He played for the Eagles from 1938 to 1940, and for the Chicago Cardinals from 1942 to 1943.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Helmut Hut – Missouri". Helmut Hut. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 "Johnny Roland". College Football Hall of Fame . Football Foundation. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  3. ↑ "United Press International NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Johnny Roland Named Running Backs Coach". Green Bay Packers. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Eagles All-Time Coaches". Philadelphia Eagles. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Regular Season Records" (PDF). Philadelphia Eagles. Retrieved December 15, 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ "Chicago Bears Rushing Career Register". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Bears Trounce Patriots, 46-10, in Super Bowl". Los Angeles Times. January 27, 1986. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Green Bay Packers Rushing Career Register". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Coaches flee Packers". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 15, 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. ↑ "Johnny Roland, AC, Free Agent". KFFL. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  12. ↑ Tritto, Christopher (September 5, 2004). "Former Big Red stars put bankrupt KIRL on block". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  13. ↑ "Johnny Roland".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.