Toby Johnson, a First-Team All-IFL Defensive selection in 2021 for the Champions of the Indoor Football League, is the Pirates' Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Line Coach, and Defensive Run Game Coordinator for the 2026 season.
In his Pirates career, Johnson played in 25 regular-season games, making 63 tackles with 17 for a loss and ten 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 11 tackles for a loss tied him for fifth in the IFL, and his 3.5 sacks ranked him tenth. Johnson also had one pass broken up, one quarterback hurry, and three forced fumbles.
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 the 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.