Ellis Johnson is a former American football player who played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for several teams. Johnson was born on April 28, 1973, in Lakeland, Florida, and attended the University of Florida, where he played college football for the Florida Gators.
After his college career, Johnson was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He played for the Colts for two seasons before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. Johnson played for the Falcons for three seasons and was a key player on their defense.
In 2000, Johnson signed with the Indianapolis Colts again, but he was released after just one season. He then signed with the Carolina Panthers, where he played for two seasons. Johnson's final season in the NFL was in 2004, when he played for the Arizona Cardinals.
Throughout his NFL career, Johnson was known for his hard-hitting style of play and his ability to make big plays on defense. He was a versatile linebacker who could play both inside and outside positions, and he was also a strong special teams player.
After retiring from the NFL, Johnson went on to become a coach. He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida, where he had played college football. He then went on to coach at several other colleges, including Appalachian State, Mississippi State, and South Carolina.
In 2012, Johnson was hired as the defensive coordinator at Auburn University, where he helped lead the team to a national championship in his first season. He then went on to coach at several other colleges, including Southern Miss, where he was the head coach from 2012 to 2014.
Overall, Ellis Johnson had a successful football career, both as a player and a coach. He was a hard-working and dedicated player who made a significant impact on the teams he played for, and he has continued to make an impact as a coach.
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