‘It was fun’: Riders’ Micah Johnson in new role for 2026 CFL season

Micah Johnson had a different viewpoint for the first time during a regular season CFL game last weekend.

The 37 year old was on the sidelines as the defensive line coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeat of the B.C. Lions, 31-27, to begin the team’s CFL season after a Week 1 bye.

“It was fun. It was a different feeling, just controlling your energy. Obviously, that itch is still there and that competitive nature,” Johnson said.

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The defensive tackle had just finished his 13th year in the CFL when he and the rest of the Riders beat the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 last fall and raised the Grey Cup.

He admitted he thought he would be back on the playing field for 2026. Johnson had just finished a season where he recorded six sacks and was still considered one of the best run-stoppers in the CFL.

“It was difficult. When we left the Grey Cup and walked off that field, I wasn’t thinking that was my last game, at all. The first thing I was thinking about was running it back and what I needed to address in the offseason as a player to be better to keep playing at a high level,” Johnson said.

But then head coach Corey Mace told him there was an opportunity to become the defensive line coach, which meant Johnson suddenly had a decision to make.

“I think the older you get, you always think about that transition and what your transition will be like when you’re done playing, and not every player has an opportunity to have a smooth transition,” Johnson said. “Mace asked me, ‘What more can you accomplish? What more are you trying to accomplish with the CFL?’ From that aspect, it was easy for me.”

Mace remembered what it was like the first time he watched a game as a coach instead of playing in one.

“Maybe a little bit different because Micah was good. My body was more than ready to be like, ‘Thank god I’m not out there,'” Mace shared. “Some of the big games, you get so jazzed.”

Mace, who was teammates with Johnson in Calgary, said he has had conversations with Johnson for years about what he would do once he was done playing.

“Sometimes in this industry as a coach, it’s about timing. It was an opportunity for him,” Mace said. “To me, he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He has an opportunity to give back to the game that has given him so much.”

And now that he’s a coach, Johnson is realizing exactly how many hours get put in by the staff.

“If there was anything bad I ever said (about coaches), I take it back,” he stated. “That’s an adjustment. Coming from player to coach, that alarm clock is going off at 5:30 every morning, and we’re up here at 6-6:30 at the latest every morning and players leave and you’re here gameplanning or doing whatever you have to do.

“I think it has been a big adjustment for my family – that’s where my guilt comes from. I’ve been playing football for so long so they are used to dad being home at 2:30-3 in the afternoon. I think that kind of aspect and the strain it puts on the family has been an adjustment, because the kids are asking where are you at all day?”

Notes: The Riders announced the signings of two national players — long-snapper Mike Benson and defensive back Jonathan Edouard. Benson spent the previous five seasons (2021-25) with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers … Safety Nelson Lokombo (ankle), long-snapper Aaron Crawford (knee), linebacker Jayden Dalke (hand) and defensive end James Vaughters (ankle) all did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick (knee) was a full participant after being listed as a non-participant on Tuesday.

The Riders will take on the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.