Toby Johnson, a First-Team All-IFL Defensive selection in 2021 for the Champions of the Indoor Football League joins the Pirates as Asst. Head Coach, Defensive Line Coach, and Defensive Run Game Coordinator for the 2025 season.
In his Pirates career Johnson played in 26 regular season games making 55 tackles with 19 for a loss and 10.5 sacks. He also had two interceptions, broke up four passes, had seven quarterback hurries and forced one fumble.
The 6’4” 325 lb. University of Georgia alum had his finest season with Massachusetts in the 2021 title run as he finished the season with 57 tackles. His 10.5 tackles for a loss tied him for sixth in the IFL and his 3.5 sacks ranked him tenth. Johnson also had one pass broken up and one quarterback hurry.
The Morehead, MS native was consistent from the beginning of the season right through the Pirates 37-34 United Bowl overtime victory over the Arizona Rattlers. In that game Johnson had four tackles including one for a loss. In the 43-22 semifinal win over the Frisco Fighters, Johnson tipped a Jerrod Heard pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Harlan Miller.
From 2022 through 2023 Johnson played with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL where he was a two-time All-League selection. In his two seasons there he had 54.5 tackles with 5.5 sacks and an interception. In 2024 he played with the Houston Roughnecks of the UFL where in three games he recorded seven tackles with two for a loss and one sack.
Johnson previously played with the XFL’s New York Guardians in 2020. In 2015 Johnson began his professional football career as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans. That same season he also signed with Jacksonville Jaguars and the Chicago Bears. Ultimately, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings (2015-2016) where he recorded four tackles and a quarterback hit in two games. In 2017-2018 He signed with the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions.