The constant state of flux that is the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff appears to have taken another step toward finality Wednesday, as quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson has reportedly left the team to become the running backs coach for the New York Giants.
Former #Vikings QBs coach Craig Johnson will be #Giants RBs coach. Interesting.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 22, 2014
Johnson became the Vikings QB coach in 2011, the same year Minnesota drafted Christian Ponder 12th overall to be their franchise signal-caller.
That didn’t work out so well, as Ponder was benched this year in favor of Josh Freeman and Matt Cassel.
Johnson’s job with the Vikings was reportedly taken by Scott Turner earlier this week, who served as Cleveland Browns wide receivers coach under his father Norv last year, who is the new offensive coordinator in Minnesota.
The Vikings haven’t confirmed any coaching changes aside from the hiring of head coach Mike Zimmer, but should Turner be in and Johnson out, Minnesota would be home to two father-son coaching duos, with Zimmer’s son Adam reportedly joining his father’s staff as well.
In other coaching news, former Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, who served under the recently fired Mike Munchak with Tennessee, will reportedly join Minnesota as the defensive backs coach.
Gray also served as defensive coordinator of the Bills from 2001-05, and 2013 Vikings defensive backs coach Joe Woods appears to now be out of a job, as he anticipated earlier this month.
