Reader comments
Cancer took Coach J's life, but his legacy will live on

Coach J was an amazing man, nobody who was ever touched by his influence will forget him.

Coach Johnson was a class act. In the busy business of coaching it is difficult to have your priorities straight and a lot of people forget to teach the daily life-long lessons. Coach J was a champion in this respect. He truly had high school coaching "figured out". To many put winning as the #1 goal and forget what the main purpose should be and that is the lifelong development of the individual athlete. Coach J. will be missed but his legacy will continue.

We love you Coach J!

I have never met Coach J but he emulates what I believe is most important when coaching high school kids. It really is not about winning at this level. Everyone wants to win and most play to win but in the end, it's the lessons we learn that's most important. Working hard together, being great teammates, friends and citizens is what I believe is important. Showing respect for teammates, coaches, opposing teams and coaches, referees, managers, teachers, etc. is something that is sometimes lost in competition. Coach J seemed to have kept this all in perspective. So do I. It's a tragic story when someone like Coach J, who has had so much influence on young student athletes has to go so soon. I wish the Johnson family peace and comfort.

Coach J we all love and miss you. Thank you for helping me to develop confidence in myself for the first time in my life. Your example was a great one, and I am saddened to think of all of the young people who missed out on getting to learn and watch you. I planned to pass your lessons on to my own children, you will live on. We love you.

Coach J will be missed. A great man and coach.

Sounds like a great coach and awesome person. We are sad for your tremendous loss. We are excited to have Uintah in our Region and wish the Girl's Basketball program the best.

Coach Johnson was an amazing guy! I always looked forward to playing Uintah because of their coach. He was all around great!