Kevin Johnson’s audition is over, and he got the lead role.
Clark College removed Johnson’s interim tag Thursday, making him the school’s next head men’s basketball coach.
He replaces Alex Kirk, who resigned in April after four-plus seasons. Johnson served as interim coach the final 17 games of the 2016-17 season, leading Clark to a 17-10 record and the Northwest Athletic Conference South Region title.
While the program gets new direction with Johnson, he said Thursday he doesn’t want to let up on the gas pedal of success Clark’s had in recent years under Kirk. In fact, he was quick to say he wants to keep that good foundation going, and from an educator’s standpoint, also go beyond wins and losses.
“I want to help kids achieve their goals and dreams,” said Johnson, a school administrator at Educational Service District 112. “That includes getting an education, helping them move onto a 4-year school, as well as the team being successful.”
The Penguins won five of their final six regular-season games under Johnson’s leadership this winter to capture their third straight NWAC South Region crown. Clark lost to Whatcom, 84-78 in overtime, in its NWAC Tournament Sweet 16 game. In 2015, Clark won the NWAC Tournament title.
Before joining Kirk’s staff last winter, Johnson coached at Class 1A Castle Rock High School for 13 seasons. There, he also coached all three of his sons, including his youngest, Brock Johnson, who just finished his freshman season at NCAA Division I Charleston Southern.
