A well known and experienced coach in Tanya Johnson has reportedly quit coaching; she has a distinct coaching style. She also has a flair for the unexpected. She leaves the memories if having her players smile and laugh out loud during games which keep them in good condition to win points.
Johnson also has a booming voice, which is another trait that attracts attention. She’s a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame; happen to make a surprise move on Tuesday by stepping down as the girls basketball coach at Zion-Benton after 11 seasons.
Johnson happened to be a head coach for 36 seasons, compiling an overall record of 766-292. She guided the Zee-Bees to a 15-11 record during the 2019-20 season. Her profile includes back-to-back Class AA state championships at Loyola Academy from 1996 to 1998 and also coaching the West team in the 2012 McDonald’s All-American games.
However, Johnson plans to remain in her counseling role at Zion-Benton for one more year before retiring.
She said: “This has really been a hard decision because I know I will really miss coaching. “I still love to go to practice and have fun with the kids. “Over the last five years, I’ve missed a few games because of health. In this age, with the germs floating around and the state of affairs, I really felt it was in my best interests to step down.
Lonnie Bible, the Zion-Benton athletic director said Johnson possessed a passion for her players that extended beyond the court. Johnson led the Zee-Bees to the program’s only state appearance, a second-place finish in 4A in 2011.
Bible said: “Coach Johnson’s retirement is a real loss to Zion-Benton’s girls basketball. “Her knowledge, experience and passion will be sorely missed. “She could get and demand so much from her players because she invested in them so much. Her players knew how much she was committed to them.
Johnson also revealed that her close connection with her six graduating seniors in Trinity Walker, Morgan Callahan, Ranya Jamison, Jada Mills, Kaylyn Porter and Camille Villaruz, was a major factor in her decision.
She added: “They were such a great group of kids, especially to finish out as a coach with.
Notwithstanding, Walker who has committed to Pasadena City College in California, appreciated Johnson for helping her realize her dream of playing at the next level.
Walker said: “Coach Johnson played a special role in my career as a player and a person. “She was the biggest supporter that I had, on and off the court. “What people don’t know about her is how hilarious she was, whether it was teasing the girls on the team about boys or gossiping about what we were doing in class. Coach Johnson always was laughing. She had a way of making us all laugh with her silly nicknames and catchphrases.
Johnson meanwhile, praised the 2010-11 team, led by captains Octavia Crump, Juanita Robinson and Helena Rodriguez, for helping ease her transition to Zion-Benton.
Johnson said: “That runner-up finish at Zion-Benton was a big achievement for the program. “I’ll always be super proud of that. I was super lucky to have great assistant coaches around me for my career. “I’m going to miss being addressed as ‘Coach.’ That touches my heart and means something to me. I loved working with the kids. I’ll be a Zee-Bee for life.”
Johnson made a point to mention several times that she “beat Dorothy to the finish line” in reference to retiring before legendary Marshall coach Dorothy Gaters.
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