XFL LA Wildcats fire defensive coordinator Pepper Johnson after first game

Pepper Johnson can always tell his former boss and mentor Bill Belichick that his XFL coaching career lasted one more game than the eight-time Super Bowl winner’s time as head coach of the New York Jets.

The defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Wildcats was fired Monday, two days after the team made its XFL debut in a 37-17 loss to the Houston Roughnecks.

#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/lDqj6FpD72

— Pepper Johnson (@PepJ52) October 19, 2019

BREAKING NEWS:

Sources have confirmed Los Angeles Wildcats Defensive Coordinator and LB coach Pepper Johnson has been released.

More news to come out of LA. Stay tuned. #XFL #XFL2020 pic.twitter.com/Kyiikrgml0

— XFL WorldWide (@XFLWorldWide) February 10, 2020

Johnson played linebacker on Giants teams that had Belichick as its DC for Super Bowl XXI and XXV. He also earned rings as an assistant coach under Belichick on Patriots teams that won Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX.

"While these decisions are difficult, we have given this significant thought. We are here to put the best possible product on the field for our fans." – GM/HC Winston Moss

We have made the following adjustments to our staff.

🔗: https://t.co/cAKWTNhUSC

— Los Angeles Wildcats (@XFLWildcats) February 10, 2020

The Wildcats also released LB Anthony Johnson

Of course, there was reaction to the news:

The fact that the firing of XFL Defensive Coordinator Pepper Johnson is trending in my timeline tells me all I need to know about the the desire for football in America and the buzz of the @xfl2020 pic.twitter.com/TR9mdNdTpS

— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) February 10, 2020

Puts in 20 years as a position coach just to finally land a coordinator position, moves across the country, and gets fired after one game. The LA Wildcats are the first garbage organization of the XFL. https://t.co/RfIoU4gy4m

— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) February 10, 2020