Ben Johnson withdrew his name from head coaching consideration last month because he had "unfinished business" as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator - business that might now include winning assistant coach of the year.
Former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year, The Associated Press announced just before the NFL Honors show Thursday. Johnson finished second and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen was third.
Ryans was hired as Houston Texans head coach last month, while Steichen is a finalist for the Indianapolis Colts job.
Johnson, 36 and in his first season as a play caller, was the creative mind behind a Lions offense that finished fifth in the NFL in scoring (26.