LIONS PLUCK RIDER COACH

(Vancouver) The BC Lions Football Club announced Wednesday morning that veteran NFL linebacker coach Johnny Holland has joined the club’s staff.

Holland begins his first season with the Lions following a 17-year NFL coaching career which included stops in Green Bay, Detroit, Seattle, Texas and Oakland. Most recently, he was a guest coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2013.

“Johnny is a highly-regarded and respected coach who brings a high level of expertise to the position,” said head coach Mike Benevides. “He is a great addition to our staff and I believe Solomon Elimimian, Adam Bighill, Jamall Johnson and the rest of our defensive players will also benefit tremendously from both his playing and coaching experience.”

Prior to his coaching days, Holland played seven seasons with Green Bay after being selected in the second round of the 1987 NFL Draft. The talented Texas A&M grad and consensus All-American in 1985 played in 103 games as a pro and notched six consecutive seasons with at least 100 tackles. He was named to the Packers’ Hall of Fame in 2001.