Ex-Edge coach Johnson tabbed to lead U-High football

Posted on April 14, 2017

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – University High School has named former Bloomington Edge head coach John Johnson the Pioneers’ new head coach.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome coach Johnson into the U-High Community,” athletics director Wendy Smith said. “We believe his experience, proven leadership ability, and passion for bringing out the best in high school student-athletes through the game of football will be a perfect fit for our school and our football program.”

Johnson replaces Trevor Von Breckenhein who resigned in March to focus on his pursuit of a Masters degree. He went 3-6 in his only season as coach.

Smith said it’s not known whether Von Breckenhein will remain on the coaching staff.

Johnson began his coaching career as a high school assistant football coach for 11 years at Negaunee High School in Michigan. He then moved on to become an administrative assistant and special teams assistant with the Green Bay Packers, spending three seasons under head coach Lindy Infante and one season under head coach Mike Holmgren. Johnson was a member of the coaching staff for the Green Bay Packers’ 1996 Super Bowl Champions.

Johnson served as head football coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY from 1994-2002, winning two Division II coach of the year awards and setting the program record for coaching victories with 34.

Johnson spent time on the staffs of the Peoria Pirates and Peoria Rough Riders before joining the Bloomington Edge franchise in 2008. He served as offensive coordinator until 2013, when he assumed head coaching duties prior to the 2014 season. Johnson had an 18-16 record in three years as head coach, leading the Edge to the franchises’ first home playoff victory in eight years with a win over the Sioux City Bandits in June, 2016.

Johnson is currently in the process of filling his football staff positions at University High School.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…