Johnny Roland

Johnny Earl Roland (born May 21, 1943) is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a running back for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1966 to 1972 and the New York Giants in 1973. Roland played college football for the Missouri Tigers, earning consensus All-American honors as a defensive back in 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 the University of Notre Dame. Roland was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1998.

Early life Roland was born on May 21, 1943, in Corpus Christi, Texas. He played high school football at Roy Miller High School in Corpus Christi, and in 1960 led the team to a 13–1 record and the 4A State Championship, the first racially integrated team in Texas to win a state high school championship.

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 coach Jimmy 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.

In 2009, he was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.

College football Roland played college football at the University of Missouri. In 1962, he rushed for 830 yards, seventh best total in the nation, and scored 78 points, ninth in the nation, leading the Tigers in both categories as well as kickoff returns. This rushing total included 155 yards against Oklahoma State University and 104 against Iowa State University. His teammates included future NFL player Andy Russell. He was welcomed back to the team in 1964 and was moved to the defensive back position. He led his team to a 6–3–1 record and was again chosen as an All-Big Eight Conference player. He led the team in punt and kickoff returns in 1964 and interceptions in 1965. That season, he was named the team's captain, was voted a College All-American, and again was on the All-Big Eight team.

Professional career Roland was drafted in the fourth round of the 1965 NFL draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, and by the New York Jets in the 1965 AFL draft. He signed a three year, $400,000, contract with the Cardinals (though reportedly less than the Jets offered). He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 1966 and 1967.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1966 STL 14 13 192 695 3.6 50 5 21 213 10.1 37 0 1967 STL 13 13 234 876 3.7 70 10 20 269 13.5 41 1 1968 STL 14 13 121 455 3.8 45 2 8 97 12.1 40 0 1969 STL 14 14 138 498 3.6 21 5 12 136 11.3 23 1 1970 STL 14 6 94 392 4.2 20 3 17 96 5.6 20 1 1971 STL 13 5 78 278 3.6 16 0 15 108 7.2 15 0 1972 STL 14 9 105 414 3.9 18 2 38 321 8.4 27 2 1973 NYG 7 6 53 142 2.7 10 1 22 190 8.6 30 1 103 79 1,015 3,750 3.7 70 28 153 1,430 9.3 41 6

Coaching career

First stint with Green Bay (1974) Roland's former college coach, Dan Devine, hired Roland to be the Green Bay Packers special assignments coach in 1974.

Notre Dame (1975) Roland then followed Devine to the University of Notre Dame, where he was an assistant coach in 1975.

Chicago Bears (1983–1992) Roland was hired by Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka in 1983 to help coach running back Walter Payton, who at the time stood 2,108 yards from Jim Brown's NFL rushing record; breaking the mark in 1984. Roland also coached Payton's successor Neal Anderson, whom Roland coached into the Bears' second all-time leading rusher. He coached in Chicago from 1983 to 1992.

New York Jets (1993–1994) Roland was the running backs coach for the New York Jets from 1993 to 1994. Roland coached in Green Bay for only one season before being hired by the New Orleans Saints. He left the Packers because he reportedly had differences with head coach Mike Sherman and 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.

New Orleans Saints (2005) Roland joined the New Orleans Saints in 2005 under head coach Jim Haslett.

Personal life Roland lives in St. Louis, and has two sons, Johnny, Jr. and James, and one daughter, Cynnamon. He also owns WRBZ in Wetumpka, Alabama. Roland was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. In 2011, he was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.