Memphis, Tennessee..... LeMoyne Owen College Magicians Family grieves today over legendary Coach Jerry C. Johnson who passed away at the age of 102 yesterday. Coach Johnson will never truly be forgotten as he lives on through the countless men's and women's lives, he changed on and off the court. Clint Jackson (Athletics Director), Robert Newman (Assistant to AD), William Anderson (Head Coach Men's Basketball), and Wade Evans (Assistant Coach Men's Basketball), Dr. Willie Herenton (Former Memphis Mayor) and Mickell Lowry (Current Shelby County Commissioner) all played for coach. These men, like so many others, have nothing but great things to say about our Coach.

Here are some quotes from people who knew Coach Johnson:

"He inspired and mentored many of our past and present community leaders.  As a player, coach gave me an opportunity that set my life on a path to success. As a colleague and mentor, his wisdom gave me confidence.  As my friend, he was a loving spirit with a great soul and his friendship is one of my dearest gifts. I'm grateful to be able to walk in his footsteps. Coach Johnson knew that every life mattered, and he will truly be missed." (Coach William Anderson)

"I tell my players I learned the game from the man who learned the game from the man who learned the game from the man who invented this game." (Coach William Anderson)

"He instilled in me that to truly lead others, you must start with the end in mind, be strategic, be attentive to details, and to possess the skills to get others to do what you need them to do, even when they don't want to do it." (AD Clint Jackson)

"I dodged a big bullet being invited to come play at LeMoyne-Owen College." (Coach Wade Evans)

He cared about passing along the fundamentals of basketball and life. He cared about his students and that was evident in the time and attention he gave us. He will be missed and the JCJ Foundation will continue to keep his memory and spirit alive." (Dr. June-Chinn Jointer)

"When I was in the city of Memphis, I got to meet one of the great coaches of our time, Jerry Johnson. He coached at LeMoyne-Owen College. A gentleman who truly cared about the game and the kids. He died this morning at age 102. Rest in peace, my friend." (Coach John Calipari)

"First off, I just want to say rest in heaven to Coach Jerry Johnson, the legendary coach. "He was on my mind today coming to the game. A legend in the game, the only coach in the Mid-South that has won a national championship. And I told him I wanted to be like him. And all the nuggets that he gave me, that he passed along, they'll stay with me forever." (Coach Penny Hardaway)

    Coach Johnson learned the game of basketball from the great John McLendon who learned basketball from James Naismith the inventor of basketball. Coach Johnson was more than a basketball coach, he was a father, a mentor, and a friend. He also served as the Athletics director at LOC, where current JCJ Foundation President June-Chinn Jointer was a student worker. He helped guide men and women in life, on and off the court. Johnson had an impact on peoples lives on the campus and in the community. Basketball games are in the Bruce-Jerry C. Johnson Hall and the court is named after Jerry C. Johnson. He was a successful coach winning the Magicians 821 games and 1 national title in 1975. Johnson was the first African American and first coach to guide an HBCU to a NCAA division III National Championship. LeMoyne Owen is the only men's basketball program in Tennessee to win a NCAA basketball national championship.

Coach Johnson Career Achievements:

•   Ranked 1^st Among Active Coaches with 821 wins (At the time of his retirement, only six coaches in NCAA history had over 800 wins)

• Volunteer State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (1971, 1972, 1973, 1974)

• Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (1999, 2000, 2005)

•  Fayetteville State Athletics Hall of Fame (1991)

• Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tennessee Coach's Hall of Fame (1995)

• City of Memphis Lifetime Achievement Award (2005)

• City of Memphis Honorary Jerry C. Johnson Street  (2005)

• Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (2006)

• Memphis Sports Hall of Fame inaugural Class (2019)

• Coach Johnson coached numerous player who played professionally, including the NBA. Some of his former players would also become coaches themselves on the college, junior college, and high school level.  He also coached retired professional baseball player Anthony "Ambee" Johnson (Texas Rangers, Montreal Expos).

             In addition to coaches' accomplishments, Lemoyne Owen College Athletics started a foundation called the Jerry C. Johnson foundation which raises money to help other young boys and girls go to college. The documentary "1st Forgotten Champions" displayed the life and legacy of coach. Coach is survived by his two children, Dr. Jerry C. Johnson, Jr. and Mrs. Wandra Haywood, her husband Samuel, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren. We send our deepest condolences to his family and the rest of the Magicians family. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the JCJ Foundation online at www.jcjfoundation.org or mailed to P.O. Box 1353 Memphis, TN 38101.