There has been speculation about potential changes Leslie Frazier might make among his assistants now that he has had the interim label removed from his coaching title.
One job he will have to fill is the position of running backs coach. That opened up with the end of the season when Eric Bieniemy went to the University of Colorado as offensive coordinator. One name that appears to be in the mix is that of former NFL running back and longtime position coach Johnny Roland.
Frazier is familiar with the 67-year-old Roland from their time together in Chicago. Frazier was a cornerback for the Bears from 1981 to '85 and Roland coached Chicago's running backs from 1983 to '92.
Longtime football fans will remember Roland from his playing days with the St. Louis Cardinals (1966-72) and the New York Giants (1973). Roland rushed for 3,750 yards and 28 touchdowns and caught 153 passes for 1,430 yards and six touchdowns in 103 games.
He began his coaching career as an assistant with the Green Bay Packers in 1974. He also has been an assistant at Notre Dame (1975), with the Eagles (1976-78), the Bears, the Jets (1993-94), the Rams (1995-96), the Packers (2004) and the Saints (2005).
