Stan Johnson, a beloved figure in the Dorsey High School track and field community and the father of current Dorsey Head Football Coach Stafon Johnson, passed away on Dec. 25, 2023, after a brief illness. He was 63 years old.
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m., at The Living Gospel Church, 6601 Compton Ave., in Los Angeles (between Florence and Gage).
Stan graduated from Fremont High School in 1978. He played tight end and linebacker on their L.A. City Semi-Final Football Team in 1977. He received a Track and Field scholarship to Consumnes River College in Sacramento after competing at Fremont in Cross Country and as a Hurdler. Stan had a passion for athletics, and he studied Exercise Science while in college.
He began working at Dorsey High School in 1984 as an assistant track coach and campus assistant. He worked on campus at Dorsey for many years and was well liked and respected among the student and athlete community.
Stan Johnson was one of the assistant coaches with the Dorsey track program throughout the 1980s, 90s and 2000s, where they won numerous City Championships as well as a State Championship in 2005, while producing some of the nation’s finest young athletes such as Lamont Warren, Beno Bryant, Ron and Kevin Copeland, Sean Foster, Greg Lee, Terry Ellis, David Gettis and Rashard Clark.
In the track and field coaching community, Stan was known for being stern and demanding while at the same time being encouraging and supportive.
“Stan motivated us by telling us to have heart and to run hard. He would always tell us not to punk out! He coached us to be tough,” said Dana Frelow, former Dorsey track athlete, class of 1987, who is the current director of the Rancho Youth Track Club.
Stan was a consistent advocate for young student/athletes for well over 30 years. In addition to coaching, he was an umpire and official for youth and high school sports. Stan was known for his cool demeanor, sincerity, and friendly smile.
According to Ralph Tilley, retired longtime Dorsey head track coach, L.A. City CIF Hall of Fame member, and 17-time LA City Champion, “Stan Johnson was an outstanding and dedicated coach. He was an integral part of our success at Dorsey. I am privileged and honored to have had him as a member of our staff.”
