Jets hire Pepper Johnson as defensive line coach

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets have hired former linebacker Pepper Johnson as their defensive line coach.

Johnson worked in the same role last season with Buffalo, but was replaced by Karl Dunbar who followed coach Rex Ryan from the Jets to the Bills.

Johnson recently interviewed with the Giants for their defensive coordinator vacancy, which went to Steve Spagnuolo.

Johnson played 13 seasons in the NFL, including seven with the Giants. He also spent time with Cleveland and Detroit before ending his career with the Jets from 1997-98 under Bill Parcells. He was an assistant under Bill Belichick for 14 seasons in New England after his playing career ended.

With the Jets, Johnson inherits one of the league's top defensive lines, led by Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson.

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