Members
Inductee
JOHNSON, EUGENE M.
JOHNSON, EUGENE M.
Born on
Philadelphia, PA
Inducted On
June 4, 2006
Location Inducted
Merrillville, IN
Region Number
1
Gary West
Coach
West Philadelphia
1957
Member of varsity track and football teams.
Chaney State 1961; Indiana University MS
Played football and basketball; captain of football team junior and senior years.
Played semi-professional football with Calumet Steelers, Joliet Explorers, Chicago Owls, and Lake County Rifles while also teaching and coaching.
Wife, Gwen; three daughters
Coaching Experience: Head football coach at Gary West Side HS 40 years 1968-2008, having started the program; member of 1972 State Runner-up basketball coaching staff; member of 1972 and 1977-1979 State Champion track coaching staffs; head coach of the 2005 State 5th Place boys track team; also coached wrestling.
Coaching Honors: Coached or mentored over 10,000 student athletes in his coaching career; mentored, trained, and was head coach to over 30 eventual head coaches who went on to win state championships in other states, such as Oklahoma and California, as well as many eventual and current college level coaches across the country; longest running tenure of any coach in his region; had 10 Northwestern Conference Wrestling Championships; in track, teams won 10 Sectionals, 9 Regionals, and 5 State titles; was also a track Coach of the Year.
Coaching Honors: Coached or mentored over 10,000 student athletes in his coaching career; mentored, trained, and was head coach to over 30 eventual head coaches who went on to win state championships in other states, such as Oklahoma and California, as well as many eventual and current college level coaches across the country; longest running tenure of any coach in his region; had 10 Northwestern Conference Wrestling Championships; in track, teams won 10 Sectionals, 9 Regionals, and 5 State titles; was also a track Coach of the Year.
