Johnny Earl Roland(born May 21, 1943) is an American former professionalfootballplayer and coach in theNational Football League(NFL). He played as arunning backfor theSt. Louis Cardinalsfrom 1966 to 1972 and theNew York Giantsin 1973. Roland playedcollege footballfor theMissouri Tigers,earning consensusAll-Americanhonors as adefensive backin 1965. He was the star running back of the first racially integrated high school team to win a Texas state football championship. After his playing days, he served as an assistant coach with the number of NFL teams and at theUniversity of Notre Dame.Roland was inducted into theCollege Football Hall of Fameas a player in 1998.
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| Position: | Running back | ||||||||||||||
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| Born: | May 21, 1943 Corpus Christi, Texas,U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 220 lb (100 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Roy Miller (Corpus Christi, Texas) | ||||||||||||||
| College: | Missouri(1962, 1964–1965) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1965/ round: 4 / pick: 54 | ||||||||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1965/ round:Redshirt 1/ pick: 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Early life
editRoland was born on May 21, 1943 inCorpus Christi, Texas.[1]He playedhigh school footballatRoy Miller High Schoolin Corpus Christi, and in 1960 led the team to a 13–1 record and the4A State Championship,the first racially integrated team in Texas to win a state high school championship.[2][3]
On the way to the 1960 championship, the Buccaneers won three playoff games to reach the finals, including a win against Port Arthur which was led by future college and NFL hall of fame coachJimmy Johnson.They defeated Wichita Falls in the championship game, one of the country's best high school teams (which appeared in four consecutive title games during that period). Roland had 103 yards rushing in the title game, including a 37-yard touchdown run in the 13-6 victory. On the year, Roland rushed for 1,224 yards and scored 90 points.[2][3]
In 2009, he was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.[4]
Playing career
editCollege
editRoland playedcollege footballat theUniversity of Missouri.In 1962, he rushed for 830 yards, seventh best total in the nation, and scored 78 points, ninth in the nation, and led the Tigers in both categories, as well as kickoff returns. This rushing total included 155 yards againstOklahoma State Universityand 104 againstIowa State University.[1][5]One of his most notable games that season was his first varsity game, where he rushed for 171 yards and three touchdowns.[2]That season, Roland earned his first of three All-Big Eight Conferencehonors.[5]His teammates included future NFL playerAndy Russell.[2]
Thought to have stolen a pair of tires, Roland was suspended by the school for the fall semester. Forced to leave the team and the school during the 1963 season, he worked that year inKansas City.It was later reported he had nothing to do with the theft, and his coachDan Devinewould not have blamed Roland for leaving Missouri for another school.[2][6]He was welcomed back to the team in 1964 and was moved to thedefensive backposition. He led his team to a 6–3–1 record and was again chosen as an All-Big Eight Conferenceplayer. He led the team in punt and kickoff returns in 1964 and interceptions in 1965.[2][5][6]
In 1965, Roland led the Tigers to an 8–2–1 record and a victory in the1966 Sugar Bowlover theFlorida GatorsandSteve Spurrier,20–18, in which he threw a touchdown pass.[6][7]That season, he was named the team's captain, was voted a College All-American, and again was on the All-Big Eight team.[1]By being named the captain of the 1965 team, Roland was the firstAfrican-Americanto serve as the captain for any University of Missouri athletic team.[2]
After his senior year, Roland played in theSenior Bowl,Coaches All-America GameandCollege All Star Game.[5]
Roland had his jersey retired (#23) by Missouri and was inducted to theCollege Football Hall of Famein 1998.[1]He was inducted into University of Missouri Hall of Fame in 1990.[5]In 2012, he was selected as a Southeastern Conference Legend.[8]
Professional career
editRoland wasdraftedin the fourth round of the1965 NFL draftby theSt. Louis Cardinals,and by theNew York Jetsin the1965 AFL Draft.He signed a three year, $400,000, contract with the Cardinals (though reportedly less than the Jets offer).[6]Roland was namedUPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Yearin1966.[9]He was selected to play in thePro Bowlin 1966 and 1967.[5]Roland had 1,476 all-purpose yards in 1966, with six touchdowns. In 1967, he had 876 rushing yards, over 1,000 total yards, and 10 touchdowns when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second to last game, that would affect his future career. He would never rush for more than 498 yards in a full season for the remainder of his career.[6][10][11]
He played for seven seasons with the Cardinals, and was the franchise's leading rusher when he left the team, and is fourth as of 2024.[12][5]He then went on to play for one season with theNew York Giantsin 1973.[5]Roland played in 103 NFL games, during which he rushed for 3,750 yards and 28 touchdowns on 1,015 attempts, caught 153 passes for 1,430 yards and six touchdowns, returned 49 punts for 452 yards with two touchdowns, returned 22 kickoffs for 444 yards, and completed five of 13 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown.[11]
Coaching career
editFirst stint with Green Bay (1974)
editRoland's former college coach,Dan Devine,hired Roland to be theGreen Bay Packersspecial assignments coach in1974.[5]While there, he coordinated some of the first computer programs used by Packers coaches, as well as scouting college talent and coaching.[13]
Notre Dame (1975)
editRoland then followed Devine to theUniversity of Notre Dame,where he was an assistant coach in 1975.[13][5]
Philadelphia Eagles (1976–1978)
editRoland was therunning backscoach for thePhiladelphia Eaglesfrom 1976 to 1978 under head coachDick Vermeil.[14][5]During his time there, Roland coachedWilbert Montgomery,who helped lead Philadelphia toSuper Bowl XVand is the Eagles' second all-time leading rusher behind LeSean McCoy (as of 2024).[6][15][16]
Chicago Bears (1983–1992)
editRoland was hired byChicago Bearshead coachMike Ditkain 1983 to help coach running backWalter Payton,[17]who at the time stood 2,108 yards fromJim Brown's NFL rushing record and then broke the mark in 1984. Roland also coached Payton's successorNeal Anderson,whom Roland coached into the Bears' second all-time leading rusher.[6][18]He coached in Chicago from 1983 to 1992.[5]The Bears during Roland's tenure led the league in rushing four times, and finished among the top three in seven of his 11 seasons. From 1984 to 1988, Chicago rushed for 160.9 yards per game, went 62–17 (.785), made the playoffs five straight years and wonSuper Bowl XX.[13][19]
New York Jets (1993–1994)
editRoland was the running backs coach for theNew York Jetsfrom 1993 to 1994.[5]
St. Louis Rams (1995–1996)
editRoland joined theSt. Louis Ramsin 1995 and coached running backJerome Bettisduring Bettis' last year with the Rams before playing for thePittsburgh Steelers.[13][5][6]
Arizona Cardinals (1997–2003)
editRoland joined theArizona Cardinalsin 1997. During his final season with the Cardinals in 2003,[5]he coachedEmmitt Smithwho was traded by theDallas Cowboysin the offseason. By coaching Smith, Roland became the only coach to work with the two all-time leading NFL rushers (Payton and Smith).[13][6]
Second stint with Green Bay (2004)
editRoland started his second stint with Green Bay in 2004[5]as the coach forAhman Green,who was theNational Football Conference's leading rusher in 2003 and second all-time leading rusher in franchise history.[13][20]Roland coached in Green Bay for only one season before being hired by theNew Orleans Saints.He left the Packers because he reportedly had differences with head coachMike Shermanand a league source reported the Packers had reservations about Roland's work ethic. Roland was reportedly overjoyed to move on to a new position with the New Orleans Saints.[21]
New Orleans Saints (2005)
editRoland joined theNew Orleans Saintsin2005under head coachJim Haslett.[5]Haslett was fired the following season and replaced withSean Payton,who chose not to retain Roland.[22]
Personal life
editRoland lives inSt. Louis,and has two sons, Johnny, Jr. and James, and one daughter, Cynnamon.[13]He owned part of a radio station, KIRL, inSt. Louis,until it filed for bankruptcy in 2004.[23]He also ownsWRBZinWetumpka, Alabama.Roland was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.[24]In 2011, he was inducted into theMissouri Sports Hall of Fame.[5]
References
edit- ^abcd"Johnny Roland (1998) - Hall of Fame".National Football Foundation.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^abcdefg"Helmut Hut – Missouri".Helmut Hut.RetrievedDecember 15,2008.
- ^abScamardo II, Peter L. (November 25, 2019)."Legends reflect on how Corpus Christi led way to integrate high school football in Texas".Corpus Christi Caller-Times.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^"Texas High School Football Hall of Fame Inductees: Johnny Roland".www.texasfootball.com.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^abcdefghijklmnopqr"Johnny Roland (1990) - Hall of Fame".University of Missouri Athletics.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^abcdefghiUnderwood, Bob (March 16, 2020)."Big Red Legends: Johnny Roland".THE BIG RED ZONE.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^Pouncy, Colton (October 21, 2016)."The generational impact of Johnny Roland survives and thrives".Columbia Missourian.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^Matter, Dave."Roland becomes MU's first SEC Legend".Columbia Daily Tribune.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^"United Press International NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year".CBS Sports.Archived fromthe originalon October 25, 2008.RetrievedDecember 15,2008.
- ^"Cleveland Browns at St. Louis Cardinals - December 10th, 1967".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^ab"Johnny Roland Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^"Arizona Cardinals Career Rushing Leaders".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^abcdefg"Johnny Roland Named Running Backs Coach".Green Bay Packers.Archived fromthe originalon September 7, 2008.RetrievedDecember 15,2008.
- ^"Eagles All-Time Coaches".Philadelphia Eagles.Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2009.RetrievedDecember 15,2008.
- ^"Regular Season Records"(PDF).Philadelphia Eagles.RetrievedDecember 15,2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Philadelphia Eagles Career Rushing Leaders".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^"Johnny Roland - Coming Full Circle".www.packers.com.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^"Chicago Bears Rushing Career Register".Pro Football Reference.RetrievedDecember 15,2008.
- ^"Bears Trounce Patriots, 46-10, in Super Bowl".Los Angeles Times.January 27, 1986.RetrievedOctober 31,2023.
- ^"Green Bay Packers Rushing Career Register".Pro Football Reference.RetrievedDecember 15,2008.
- ^"Packer Coaching Scramble Continues".Green Bay Packers NFL Football Forum & Community.January 27, 2005.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
- ^"Johnny Roland, AC, Free Agent".KFFL.Archived fromthe originalon December 5, 2014.RetrievedDecember 15,2008.
- ^Tritto, Christopher (September 5, 2004)."Former Big Red stars put bankrupt KIRL on block".St. Louis Business Journal.RetrievedDecember 15,2008.
- ^"Johnny Roland".