Harvey Johnson (coach)

Harvey Paul Johnson (June 22, 1919 in Bridgeton, New Jersey – August 8, 1983) was an American football player and coach. He served two separate stints as the head coach for the Buffalo Bills, first in the American Football League and then in the National Football League.

Johnson played as a linebacker for the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference from 1946-49.

In 1951 he played as a linebacker for the NFL's New York Yanks.

After 8 years as an assistant coach and then defensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills, Johnson first took the reins as Head Coach in 1968, when Joe Collier was fired one game into the season. The Bills went 1-10-1 with Johnson at the helm, and he was replaced the following year by John Rauch. Johnson returned to his role as the Bills' defensive backfield coach for two seasons before resuming the head coaching post in 1971. After finishing with a 1-13 record that year, Johnson was reassigned to the scouting department. He compiled a record of 2-23-1 in his two seasons. Johnson was also on the Buffalo Bills coaching staff when the Bills won the 1965 AFL Championship game. Johnson continued to work as a scout for the team until his death in 1983.

It was speculated that Johnson's love of thoroughbred horse racing, a passion he shared with owner Ralph Wilson, allowed him to stay on the Bills payroll despite his poor performance in coaching.

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