Johnston takes reins of Tiger football

LOS LUNAS — Using lessons learned from one of New Mexico’s legendary programs, as well as lessons from one that has struggled, Stephen Johnston believes he can guide Los Lunas to continued success on the football field.

Last week, the 39-year-old Johnston was announced as the new head football coach at LLHS, replacing Greg Henington whose contract was not renewed after a five year run that included a state championship.

“I knew this is a community I wanted to be a part of because of their commitment to excellence,” Johnston, an Artesia native, told the News-Bulletin.

It was as a longtime defensive coordinator from 2010 to 2021 with Artesia, a perennial state-title contender, that Johnston cut his teeth as a coach. Ironically, part of that tenure was spent under Jeremy Maupin, the former head coach at Los Lunas.

“I’ve been following them for a long time,” Johnston said of LLHS. “They’ve been a very competitive and stout program for years.”

After leaving Artesia, Johnston took over at Manzano, where the Monarchs compiled a 14-38 record during his five years, with playoff appearances each of the last three seasons. Johnston believes that coaching football in Albuquerque Public Schools brings unique challenges, including the lack of middle school teams. “Technically there were no feeder programs coming in,” so Johnston said he worked with YAFL to correct that.

“I went from a place that had everything (Artesia) to a place (Manzano) that was much more limited. It made me grow as a football coach and as a person. I had to do things differently.”

Johnston also pointed to a drop in enrollment coming out of COVID, with Manzano bouncing from 6A to 5A and then to 4A. Johnston said his staff worked with students, parents and administrators to increase the turnout for football.

Changes are coming to Los Lunas’ classification as well, with the Tigers dropping from 6A to 5A this season.

“You can kind of see that they are primed to do really well in 5A,” Johnston said, noting that LLHS “competed really hard (in 6A). Kudos to them.”

Los Lunas will use an offense and defense scheme with roots from the Artesia system.

“We’re going to be a spread offense. We’re going to be able to throw the ball around,” Johnston said.

As for the defense, Johnston will employ multiple looks.

“We’re going to be an attack-style defense. We’re going to dictate to the offense,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a fun thing for a lot of kids to be involved in.”

Previously, Johnston also coached powerlifting and track and field, but he plans to concentrate on football as he gets comfortable at LLHS. In the classroom, Johnston expects to teach social studies.

Johnston says he is ready to get to work, which includes meeting players, parents and starting an offseason program. There is also the matter of hiring a coaching staff, with that process underway.

“I know this is a big change,” Johnston said, but he believes good things are ahead because of “a community very committed to success. The infrastructure. The ability to build a program and do things the right way. That’s the biggest thing that drew me.”

A statement from Los Lunas Schools complimented Johnston for “an elite championship pedigree” and his “high-energy leadership style, and commitment to developing the whole student-athlete. Coach Johnston remains committed to building a fast, physical, disciplined program that represents the Tiger Nation with pride.”