ARCATA — Bringing with him an impressive record of success, Christian Johnson will join the Humboldt State staff July 1 as the men’s and women’s head soccer coach, HSU Athletic Director Dan Collen announced Thursday.
Johnson, former head coach at Cal State San Bernardino and Azusa Pacific, takes over for Andy Cumbo, who departed to take the men’s head coaching position at Cal State East Bay. Johnson’s past triumphs include guiding the Azusa Pacific women’s program to a 24-0-1 record and a national championship in 1998, leading to his selection as National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) NAIA Coach of the Year.
In four years at Cal State San Bernardino, Johnson’s women's teams were 42-32-7, and combined with his coaching record at Azusa Pacific gives him a 99-41-10 overall mark on the women’s side. Under Johnson, CSUSB’s men recovered quickly from a 1-18 record in 2000, improving rapidly to post a 31-45-4 coaching record over four seasons.
“Christian has a proven record of success, along with extensive experience in NCAA Division II and the CCAA,” Collen said. “He already knows what it is like to coach both a women’s and a men’s team, which was a key to our decision to hire him. He’ll be a great fit on our staff and in the entire HSU community.”
In the 2003 season, Johnson’s last at CSU San Bernardino, his men finished 12-8-1 and claimed the California Collegiate Athletic Association's South Division title before bowing 1-0 to Chico State in the conference tournament semifinals. Chico State went on to win the CCAA and West Region titles.
That same season, his Coyote women’s team was 11-8-2 and qualified for the NCAA West regional for the first time in the 15-year history of the program. Johnson then departed the coaching ranks, moving to Pahrump, Nev. to work with his father-in-law, a major developer in the Las Vegas area.
Missing his time on the field, Johnson was keenly interested when the position opened at Humboldt State. After meeting with the athletics staff and visiting HSU, he was excited when Collen offered him the job.
“The boosters, and the staff I met were extremely supportive, and the facilities are impressive,” Johnson said. “I really enjoyed the area, and I’m excited about this opportunity for myself, my family and the HSU soccer programs.”
Johnson takes over a men’s team that posted an 8-8-4 overall record and 3-8-3 conference mark in 2007, and a women’s team that was 9-9-1 overall and 5-7-1 in league. Returning to the soccer staff this fall will be assistants Brendan Bourdage and Lindsey Apo.
“I’m fortunate to have two very good, very organized individuals here already,” Johnson said about his assistants. “They’ll be a big help with the transition and provide continuity to the programs.”
During his collegiate playing career, Johnson attended Azusa Pacific for three years, before finishing at Point Loma Nazarene in 1993. A keeper, Johnson had 24 career victories at Azusa and had six shutouts.
Johnson graduated from Point Loma Nazarene in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. In 1996, he earned his mater’s degree from Azusa Pacific in education.
Johnson and his wife, Sandy, are the parents of three daughters, Sydney, age 6, Kendall, 4, and Lyla, 6 months.