PHILADELPHIA, July 28 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson died of melanoma skin cancer Tuesday at the age of 68.
When Johnson's cancer was diagnosed in January, it was hoped he could return to coaching after radiation treatments. He suffered a setback in May and announced he was taking a leave of absence with secondary coach Sean McDermott filling in on an interim basis.
McDermott was elevated to the defensive coordinator post on a permanent basis last Thursday.
Johnson held the post for the first 10 seasons of Andy Reid's tenure as Eagles head coach. He joined the Eagles' staff after serving as linebackers coach for the Seattle Seahawks in 1998.
From 2000-08, Johnson directed a defense that had the second-most sacks (390) and allowed the fourth-fewest points per game (17.7) of all NFL clubs.
The Illinois native took his first coaching position as head coach at Missouri Southern in 1967. He also coached at Drake, Indiana, Notre Dame, in the USFL, Arizona and Indianapolis.
