JOHNNY ROLAND

Johnny Roland, with more than 34 years in the NFL and 26 years as a league coach, is one of the most experienced coaches in pro history. In 2005, he joined the Saints as running back coach, after spending 2004 with the Packers. Roland began his career in 1974 with Green Bay, followed Missouri Coach Dan Devine to Notre Dame (1975), then coached on five more NFL staffs: Philadelphia (1976-78), Chicago (1983-92), New York Jets (1993-94), St. Louis Rams (1995-96) and Arizona (1997-2003). He was in private business from 1979-82, until Coach Mike Ditka brought him to Chicago. The Bears during Roland’s tenure led the league in rushing four times, finished among the top three in seven of his eleven seasons, made the playoffs five straight years and won Super Bowl XX. With the Packers in 2004, he helped send both RB Ahman Green and FB William Henderson to the Pro Bowl. Roland played eight years in the NFL after an All-American career at Missouri. He made the Pro Bowl twice and retired as the St. Louis Cardinals’ all-time leading rusher.