Ben Johnson tells the Colts and other teams he's staying with the Lions
Ben Johnson will not be taking the Colts' head coaching job.
He won't be taking any head coaching job this offseason.
The Lions offensive coordinator has informed interested teams that he has decided to stay in Detroit for next season, NFL Network reported Tuesday.
Johnson interviewed with the Colts on Friday. He was also a candidate for the Panthers' opening and was considered the favorite for that job as recently as last weekend, CBS reported.
But the 36-year-old rising star has decided to stay with the Lions, citing that he believes in what the franchise is building under coach Dan Campbell. The Lions jumped from 3-13-1 last year to 9-8 this season. They won eight of their final 10 games.
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This was Johnson's first year as an offensive coordinator, and he helped the Lions to top-five rankings in points and yards. Quarterback Jared Goff had his best season in recent years, finishing with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Johnson has spent the past four seasons with the Lions. He'll look to gain more experience as a coordinator and could be among the top candidates available next spring.
The Colts will move forward in their coaching search without him. They have interviewed a number of candidates so far, including their own special teams coordinator, Bubba Ventrone, as well as outside candidates in Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
They have also requested interviews with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and 49ers defensive coordinator Demeco Ryans. They also plan to interview Jeff Saturday, who served as their interim coach for the final eight games and went 1-7.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was a potential candidate for the Colts, but he told the school Monday night that he would be staying put.
The Colts will remain patient, determined to find the right leader after a 4-12-1 season that included the midseason firing of Frank Reich.
"We’ve got a very detailed process put together on the traits and attributes we’re looking for in the head coach," general manager Chris Ballard said. "Don’t care which side of the ball. And then to be patient and take your time and make sure we have a thorough interview with everybody. Consistent, thorough. I don’t care if it takes until mid-February to hire the head coach. It’s about getting it right.”
Contact Colts insider Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts coaching search: Ben Johnson is staying with the Lions
