Congratulations to the Class of 2024

J. J. Johnson

Every once in a while, things happen in the world of sports that seem almost too good to be true. J.J. Johnson, as the Head Softball Coach at Coronado High School, achieved that level of accomplishment and became one of the most successful coaches in the history of Texas High School Softball. After an outstanding high school career as both a basketball and baseball player, J.J. graduated from Coronado High School in 1980. He headed to Texas Tech to pursue a degree in education so he could become a teacher and coach. He had no idea of the mark he would later leave at his high school alma mater. In 1986, he began his teaching and coaching career with Lubbock ISD at Hutchinson Junior High School. After two years there, he spent the next year at Estacado High School, before moving over to Irons Junior High School for six years. In the fall of 1995, he returned to Coronado to assist Rusty Erwin in starting the softball program. Over the next three years they produced three District Championships. In 1998, he was named the Coronado Head Softball Coach and began a phenomenal 19-year run. During that span, his teams won 19 consecutive District Championships, 19 consecutive Bi-District Championships, 14 Area Championships, 9 Regional Quarterfinal Championships, 1 Regional Semifinal Championship, and 1 Regional Final Championship that took the Mustangs to the State Tournament Semifinals. His overall coaching record over those 19 seasons is 557 wins, 122 losses and 4 ties, which is an amazing 82% winning percentage. Even more impressive is the almost unbelievable District Record of 221 wins, 9 losses and 1 tie. That is an incredible 96% winning percentage over 19 years of District play! His overall 557 wins give Coach Johnson the fourth most in the history of Texas High School Softball. That record includes all classifications. He has received Coach of the Year honors 13 times and was selected to coach in the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star Game in 2008. He just concluded 31 years of teaching and coaching in Lubbock ISD, with 22 of those years at Coronado. Besides coaching softball, he has also assisted with the tremendous success of the Girls Basketball and Volleyball programs. The past 4 years he served as the Coronado Girls Athletic Campus Coordinator. He is a co-founder of the Greater West Texas Softball Coaches Association, and has served on several committees for the Texas Girls Coaches Association. He has also been an outstanding math teacher, teaching college level algebra. This year, Coach Johnson begins his 32nd year with Lubbock ISD in a new role as an Assistant Athletic Director.
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