LOS ANGELES — Stefan Johnson is a coach in full command, getting his team ready for playoff week number two.
For him, being the head coach at Dorsey High School is truly like coming home. He was a star running back there, eventually playing college ball at the University of Southern California. Some of the old assistant coaches are now his assistant coaches.
“This area adopted me as their son, and it’s huge because this is a prestigious high school,” Johnson said. “It’s one of the biggest high schools in Los Angeles County and it has the biggest name. For me to be named the head coach, I knew the importance of it.”
In his first season, coach Johnson has gotten the most out of his players. The Dons have won nine games this year after a rough 3-8 season in 2019. The coach actually declined to play in the spring COVID season to the surprise of many.
“I didn’t believe our kids were ready for that you know and right now I’m looking like a genius because you can’t put kids in certain situations so abruptly and expect them to perform the way they are supposed to perform,” explained Johnson.
“That takes months of preparation.”
He is only 33 years old and still understands what’s like to be a player. Senior, Tyler Williams says having a coach so close in age helps the team connect. He believes it’s a big reason the team has been successful.
“We’re having fun while we’re playing,” Williams said.
“Most coaches don’t do that. They’re just more on the serious page. He’s joking around but we’re serious at the same time. We’re just having fun," Williams added.
“Understanding where they are coming from and we’re they are trying to go,” Johnson continued. “Being in those shoes, being in those same classrooms, having those same type of adversities that they go through. I think we kind of relate in many ways than one.”
Now they are focused on facing Cleveland from Reseda as they look to advance in the CIF playoffs.