The rise of Detroit Lions offensive coordinator and former UNC backup QB Ben Johnson Posted Sep 28, 2023 T.J. Yates met Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in the quarterbacks room at UNC. Yates was a freshman and Johnson was a walk-on. Even then, Johnson's football IQ jumped out to Yates, who said he had a deeper understanding of football than anyone on the team. Johnson also helped coach Yates on the intricacies of the quarterback position. (ESPN.com)