Click-baity title. Linus is being modest :-) He absolutely IS a "Programmer" just not a "Code Monkey". A Programmer doesn't only write code, he needs to be a bit of an Architect understanding as much of the whole system as possible, how the end users use it, where the dragons are, how to mentor juniors and delegate effectively etc etc. In short there are multiple facets to "Programming".

Linus is one of a kind. I wish somebody would get him to write a book on his Thinking, Design Methodology and Programming Techniques aimed squarely at the Technical Folks. His record is unparalleled and his no-nonsense style highly effective. All worthy of being studied and emulated by other Managers/Programmers.