Feb. 9, 2011

Johnson to step down at Sam Houston State

Mark Johnson, the head coach at Sam Houston State for the past four years, will retire at the conclusion of the 2011 season.

Johnson has coached for 41 years and compiled a record of 1,008-540-3 in 25 seasons as a head coach at SHSU and Texas A&M. He was the 44th head coach to reach 1,000 victories and is 17th among active head coaches in wins.

The Bearkats are 132-109 over the past four campaigns under Johnson. SHSU has won three of the past four Southland Conference tournament titles, making trips to the NCAA tournament in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Johnson was head coach at Texas A&M from 1984 to 2005. The Aggies won Southwest Conference titles in 1986, 1989 and 1993, and Big 12 crowns in 1998 and 1999. Texas A&M appeared in 13 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the College World Series in 1993 and 1999.

A member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and Texas Baseball Halls of Fame, Johnson was the head coach for Team USA in 1999.