BREAKING: Johnston hired as LLHS football coach

Los Lunas Schools has hired Stephen Johnston as Los Lunas High School head football coach, replacing Greg Henington. Johnston was the head coach at Manzano High School the past five seasons. Before moving to Manzano, Johnston was an assistant coach from 2014-2021 at Artesia, where he had several duties including defensive coordinator for the New Mexico powerhouse.

Information from MaxPreps shows that Manzano’s record from 2021 to 2025 was 1-8, 1-9, 2-9, 5-6 and 5-6, with a combined district record of 6-17. The Monarchs qualified for the first round of the playoffs each of the last three years. Manzano was also in the same district in 4A as Valencia the past two seasons, losing to the Jaguars twice in close games. Johnston will be coaching a Los Lunas team that will be moving from 6A to 5A in the 2026 season.

Johnston was not immediately available for comment, but in a statement released by Los Lunas Schools, Johnston said, “I’m excited and honored to lead the Los Lunas Tigers. This program has a proud tradition and high expectations. I look forward to working with our young men to compete at the highest level. It’s our team. It’s our time.”

In that same news release, LLS administrators are quoted as saying about Johnston, “His dedication to fostering academic success, athletic excellence, and personal character aligns perfectly with the values of our district. We are confident that under his leadership, the Tigers will continue to thrive on and off the field.”

LLS officials say a news conference will be held in the near future. Johnston has experience in the classroom as a history and social studies teacher, although his duties at Los Lunas are not known at this time.

In addition to coaching football, Johnston was Manzano’s head powerlifting coach, and while at Artesia he spent time as the head boys and girls track coach.

Former LLHS coach Henington did not have his contract renewed at the end of last season. Henington, who is now an assistant coach/teacher at Cleveland High School, compiled a five year record of 43-16, with a state championship in 2021.

In documents provided to the News-Bulletin through an Inspection of Public Records Act request, LLS released the names of all the applicants for the LLHS head coaching position. That list includes current Valencia head coach LeDarrius Cage, former Belen head coach Andrew McCraw, former Socorro head coach Damien Ocampo and several others with local ties.