Ben Johnson continued to fill out the rest of his coaching staff Tuesday, agreeing to add Jeremy Garrett as his defensive line coach, Richard Smith as his linebackers coach and Bill Johnson as a defensive assistant, a source confirmed.
Smith is familiar with Halas Hall— the Bears just parted ways with his son, Travis, after three years as defensive line coach. Richard Smith has been an NFL linebackers coach each season since 2009, starting with the Panthers and joining the Broncos, Chargers, Raiders and, for the last three years, the Colts. New Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had the same role in Denver in 2011, and Smith was his linebackers coach.
Smith was the defensive coordinator for the Dolphins in 2005 and the Texans from 2006-08. He’s also coached for the then-Houston Oilers, the 49ers and the Lions.
Garrett spent last season as the Jaguars’ defensive line coach. He’s worked at Auburn and Liberty and as the Browns’ assistant defensive line coach.
Bill Johnson was Allen’s defensive line coach and then co-worker at Texas A&M. He’s coached defensive line for four NFL teams and three SEC teams, including LSU from 2019-20.