NEW ORLEANS — New Bears head coach Ben Johnson was named AP Assistant Coach of the Year on Thursday for a 2024 performance that saw him lead the Lions’ offense to the most points and second-most yards in the NFL.
Johnson, who was the Lions’ offensive coordinator for three years before agreeing to coach the Bears last month, did not attend NFL Honors, which handed out the league’s top awards Thursday night. He has spent the last two-and-a-half weeks filling out his coaching staff at Halas Hall.
Johnson received 29 first-place votes. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores finished in second place and former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn placed third. The Bears interviewed all three assistant coaches — and 14 others — for their head coaching vacancy.
A panel of 50 voters made their selections before the playoffs began.
The NFL is set to hand out more awards and announce the new Pro Football Hall of Fame class later Thursday.