CIF championship baseball coach and teacher mourned at Mater Dei Catholic High School

Staff and students throughout the Metro Conference received some gut-wrenching news upon returning to classes on Monday when it was announced that popular Mater Dei Catholic High School teacher and CIF championship coach Ed Johnson had died over the weekend.

A physical education teacher and head baseball coach at the private Chula Vista high school, Johnson, 58, had headed the baseball program since 1996.

The Crusaders won San Diego Section Division III championships in 1998 and 1999 and Division IV titles in 2000 and 2004.

“He was a beloved coach amongst his players, colleagues and the Metro Conference community,” Metro Conference athletic coordinator/president Alex Estrada said. “He always brought a smile and contagious energy everywhere he went. He dedicated his career to the South Bay community and will be missed dearly.”

Johnson also coached boys basketball during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, compiling a 13-10 overall record in 2004-05, including 6-4 in South Bay League play. He was also very active in club baseball, especially at the national level with the Perfect Game All-American organization.

The Crusaders finished 16-13 this spring with a 10-2 Metro-South Bay League record as the league champion. The team went one round deep in the Division III section playoffs.

Prior to the opening of Mater Dei Catholic High School in 2007, he taught and coached at the predecessor campus that first opened in 1960 in the South San Diego/Imperial Beach area.

Mater Dei Catholic administrators asked that coach Johnson’s legacy be honored by living out the values he taught his student-athletes: hard work, teamwork and faith.

According to a statement posted on the school’s website, Johnson “dedicated nearly all his life guiding and inspiring our students, both on and off the field. His passion, encouragement and care touched countless lives in our community.”

The school added that chaplains and counselors are available to support students during this difficult time.

All extracurricular and athletic events were cancelled on Monday out of respect for Johnson’s service at the school.

Johnson grew up local, attending Montgomery High School, and returned from Howard University to work and teach locally.

He served on the coaching staff at this year’s San Di9ego Section all-star baseball game at Petco Park.

Johnson played for legendary Aztec coach Manny Hermosillo in 1984 and 1985. Hermosillo also coached Johnson during the 1983 season for Luckie Waller Little League’s Senior League all-star team.

“We became friends and was like part of my family all throughout his life,” Hermosillo said. “We worked and coached for many years together for the Perfect Game All-American games. It’s a great loss for all of our baseball families and, more importantly, a great human being.”

Chula Vista High School baseball coach Jim Westlund admitted he shed tears upon hearing of Johnson’s passing.

“Eddie was a lifelong loyal friend of mine as well as others,” Westlund said. “Eddie connected to everyone, and he made you feel at ease and happy to be his friend. There will not be a day I step on the field and not think about Eddie and how tirelessly he worked to make the experience of baseball a positive one for his players.

“As a close friend, I will miss his counseling of our experiences and wisdom of his words. Eddie was a good man and a great coach who will be missed by everyone who came into contact with him. Eddie’s passing is a big loss to the South Bay coaching community.”
Johnson’s legacy reached far beyond the borders of South County.

San Diego Section Commissioner Joe Heinz called it “definitely extremely sad news on the passing of Coach Johnson.”

“He was a very successful coach at both Marian and Mater Dei Catholic,” said Heinz, a South County native. “More importantly, he was one of the most respected baseball coaches not only in the South Bay, but the entire San Diego Section baseball community. He made such a positive impact on all of the young men’s lives that he coached over the years. He was selected this past year by the CIF Baseball Advisory Committee to serve as the East head hoach for the Padres High School All-Star Game. A great honor for one of San Diego’s best who will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.”

Johnson was discovered Monday morning by school Principal Aaron Gonzalez, Athletic Director Jared Izidoro and Director of Advancement John Joyner when performing a wellness check after not hearing from him all weekend.

Final arrangements had yet to be announced at press time.