Johnson retires as coach, teacher

By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

After serving the past 12 years as the George Wythe High School girls’ basketball coach and after 33 years of teaching, Arthur Johnson recently announced that he will retire at the end of this school year.
Before taking the post as the GWHS head girls’ basketball coach, Johnson began his teaching and coaching career at Pulaski County High School. He was a social studies teacher there and was the boys’ assistant basketball coach under Allen Wiley.
Johnson came to George Wythe in 1987 as a physical education teacher and an assistant basketball coach for both the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams. He assisted Al Copenhaver with the boys’ program and Mary Copenhaver with the girls’ team.
He was appointed the girls’ head coach in 1997. Since that time, Johnson has compiled an overall record of 168 wins with 76 losses. He has led the Lady Maroons to six district championships and numerous trips to the regionals. In 2001, his team advanced to the state quarterfinals. He has been named the district’s Coach of the Year four times.
Johnson said he has had lots of fond memories of his years of coaching. He recalled numerous players that he felt privileged to coach. Several of his players have gone on to play in college.
He believes that whoever is chosen for his replacement will do well. We’re blessed in Wythe County with so many good athletes,” he said. “The program is on solid ground. I hope that whoever gets (the job) will keep it going.”
Johnson said he is not concerned about finding things to do in his extra free time he will have after this school year ends. He said he will devote more time to caring for his mother. And he has three grandchildren (ages 11, 6 and six months) who will take a big chunk of his time. The coach indicated that all three could become accomplished athletes. They will benefit, no doubt, from the advice of a long-time coach.