Coach Marcus Johnson Western High School
Pictures Courtesy of Marcus Johnson
Hello, I am Coach Marcus Johnson. My sports journey, both personal and professional, has been a true blessing. Married for 31 years to my college sweetheart, Lesly Peppers, our lives have spanned multiple states and countries, embodying the spirit of an Air Force and sports family. I devoted 22 years to the the World’s Greatest Air Force, with 14 years overseas, before retiring in 2015.
My family is deeply rooted in sports. My three children—Malik, Korie, and Kennedy—have followed in my athletic footsteps. Malik achieved a Hawaii state basketball championship, was a three-year All-State basketball player, and earned Most Outstanding Player of the State Championship Game in 2012. He also excelled in football, earning All-League and All-State honors. Korie led her basketball team to a Hawaii State championship and was twice an All-League player before graduating from the University of Kansas. Kennedy, a four-year high school varsity basketball player, earned All-League honors twice and graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
I graduated from Wichita South High School in Wichita, Kansas, in 1990. I excelled in football, earning numerous accolades: 1989 All-League 1st Team Offensive Tackle, 1989 All-League 1st Team Defensive Linebacker, 1989 All-State Offensive Tackle, and selected to the 1980s All-League All-Decade Team. Under Hall of Fame Coach David Niggs, I won the 1990 League, Regional, and Kansas State Wrestling Championship. My performance earned me a football scholarship to Coffeyville Community College (Junior College in Kansas), where I played linebacker for the 1990 NJCAA National Champions. In 1991, I was voted Team Captain, leading in tackles, selected as an All-Conference Linebacker, and received a full-ride scholarship to Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois.
I started my coaching career in 1994. I have mentored over a thousand young people. I served as both a volunteer and paid coach throughout my coaching career. My coaching career started in basketball. Moving every few years and having exceptionally tall children led me to coaching basketball. Despite never playing organized basketball, I led teams at Eglin AFB, Florida, Yongsan, Army Post in South Korea, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, and various schools in Honolulu, Hawaii to numerous championships. My recognition as the Junior NBA/WNBA Coach of the Year in 2006 is a highlight of my basketball coaching career.
As an Air Force JROTC Aerospace Science Instructor, I transitioned to education in the 2015-2016 school year. Currently, I am entering my ninth year in this role. Throughout my tenure, I have led Western Air Force JROTC to become one of the premier programs in CCSD. Western’s JROTC has won 4 CCSD annual Physical Fitness Competitions. I’m proud to have also assisted many students in being accepted and completing, military service, college, trade school, and they are now productive professionals locally and globally.
In 2017, I returned to wrestling, rising to Head Coach in 2019. My team’s accomplishments/success include: – 2019-2020: Undefeated Conference Champions, 15-8 dual record, 5 state qualifiers, including a State Runner-Up, 3rd placer, and 4th placer. Finished 7th in the class 3A Nevada State tournament.
– 2021-2022: Desert Conference Dual record of 5-1, 11 State Qualifiers, 4 State Finalists, 3 Individual State Champions, 5 state medals, Team State Runner-Up, 1 All-American wrestler.
– 2022-2023: Boys’ team Dual League record of 4-2, 2nd place at the Regional Meet, 8 Regional Qualifiers, 3 Regional Champions, 1 State Champion, 2 State Runner-Ups, 3rd place finish. First girls’ wrestling team with a 3rd place at the Southern Regional tournament and notable achievements at the NIAA All Girls State Meet. Girls’ team produced 3 State placers, including Western High School’s first Girls Wrestling State Champion.
– 2023-2024: Boys’ team Dual League record of 5-1, League Championship title, 3 Regional champions, and 2 State Champions. Girls’ team had a 3rd place finish at the Girls Regional Tournament and a 4th place finish at the All-Girls State Tournament with 3 State Medals and 2 State Finalists.
Team Philosophy – Master the Basics Team Values – We follow the Air Force Core Values: Integrity First (Always do the right thing, even when no one is looking), Service Before Self (Always put the team first) and Excellence in all we do (Always give your absolute best)
Every wrestler strives to excel academically, athletically, and personally. I coined the philosophy of being an A.C.E., emphasizing a positive Attitude, maintaining Consistency, and giving maximum Effort for success.
My tenure at Western High School has provided me with an opportunity to serve an absolutely amazing community. I am forever grateful for the trust that has been bestowed upon me. I express gratitude to the best staff, student-athletes I could ever wish for. Their contributions to our wrestling program’s success have been amazing. Extra-Special thank you to Coach Carlos Lemus – Coach Leandro Arias – Coach Jason Sulliban – Coach Alexander Sulliban – Coach Kevin Henry – Team Mom Jamie Sulliban,. Your collective effort has been instrumental in the program reaching new heights. It takes a village.
MARCUS D. JOHNSON, MSgt, USAF (Ret.) AFJROTC, Aerospace Science Instructor Head, Boys & Girls