Johnny Johnson
Coach JOHNNY JOHNSON became the head coach of the James Clemens Jets in the fall of 2018, after serving as head coach at Fort Payne High School for 14 years. In his time at JC, his teams have set the single season record for wins multiple times, made the deepest run into the playoffs in school history, and he became the winningest coach in JC Baseball history in 2022.
His outstanding tenure at FPHS led to his becoming the all-time school wins leader with 207. His 2011 team also set the single season win record when the team went 31-10. Coach Johnson guided FPHS to four Area Championships and two Final ASWA Top 10 Rankings. He also directed 16 of his players to play at the college level.
Ten of his players earned All-State recognition and three (four selections, one guy was twice) were named All-Americans. Coach Johnson's high school coaching awards include All-DeKalb County Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2011, and All-Area Coach of the Year in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015.
Prior to his stint in Fort Payne, Coach Johnson was the Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the University of Texas-Pan American (NCAA Div I) from 2000-2004. He also served as Pitching Coach for the Edinburg Roadrunners, champions of the Texas-Louisiana Professional Baseball League, and as Pitching Coach for the league All-Star team in 2001. Under Coach Johnson, the Roadrunners pitching staff set league records for team ERA and shutouts in a season.
Coach Johnson's first coaching position was as an Assistant Coach at Texas Wesleyan University (NCAA Div II) from 1998-1999. During this time, he also worked as a Youth Camp Instructor for the Texas Rangers Baseball Caravan, and served as a Head Coach and All-Star Head Coach in the Southwest Collegiate League in 1998.
Coach Johnson's high school baseball experience occurred at Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas, where he pitched from 1992-1994. He led the team in wins in 1993 and 1994 and finished with a 13-2 career record. In 1994 he recorded a 9-1 record and received All-District and All-County honors. During high school, Johnny provided his talent as a Texas Rangers Bat Boy, resulting in his being awarded the first-ever MLB Clubhouse Managers Scholarship in 1994.
His college pitching was performed at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas from 1995-1997. During this time, the team won three conference championships, two regional championships, and appeared in two NAIA World Series.
Coach Johnson received a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise and Sports Science at Texas Wesleyan University (1999) and a Masters of Education in Kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American (2001). He is married to the former Geri Durham of Duck Springs, AL and they have one son, John Thomas.
