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Darrell Johnson coached the Ada High School boys basketball team to its most recent state championship in 1982.
That achievement was the start of a wildly successful collegiate coaching career.
Johnson spent 12 years as a college basketball coach before moving to the NBA, where he worked for 21 years as a front office scout and member of player personnel staffs with the Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Pelicans, LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns.
Through all of his basketball adventures, Johnson said he still has a special fondness for Ada.
“Ada is a very special place to my family and me,” he said.
One of the many highlights of his career came in 1992 when he guided the men’s basketball team at Oklahoma City University to an NAIA national championship with a perfect 38-0 record.
“It’s incredibly difficult to win a national championship at any level and in any sport,” Johnson said. “And most will agree that to go undefeated in men’s college basketball is nearly impossible. But it happened 34 years ago.”
Soon after that title run, while coaching at Baylor University, it all came crashing down.
In 1994, Johnson became the first major college basketball coach in NCAA history to be indicted by a federal grand jury over recruiting and eligibility violations. He was later fired by Baylor.
“I had everything. Money. A great family. A career,” Johnson told The Oklahoma Gazette. “ESPN had me as one of the top rising coaches in America. and then I had nothing. Literally nothing.”
At that point, Johnson had to lean on God.
“I hit rock bottom,” Johnson said. “And I had nowhere else to go. I couldn’t pull myself out. I had to rely on the grace of God.”
Johnson chronicles his meteoric rise and subsequent fall in his memoir, “It’s Only a Game,” which was published six months ago.
“It’s a faith-based, nonfiction memoir and sports book about my life,” Johnson said. “It chronicles the 1982 Ada High School team, as well as many of the other teams I coached.”
“It’s Only a Game” is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other retailers.
“Sales have been brisk, but I’m always looking for opportunities to promote the story, which seems to resonate with most everyone,” he said. “I still have many friends and family in Ada, and I thought the book might have particular interest in that area — especially to sports fans, as well as those interested in faith-based books of encouragement and inspiration.”
The foreword was written by Bill Self, head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team.
All proceeds and royalties are earmarked for faith-based charities, including FCA, Life Church, WTL Ministries and 17 Ministries.
“I have no agenda other than to help others who might be fighting personal battles and struggles of their own,” he said.
Continue reading...
That achievement was the start of a wildly successful collegiate coaching career.
Johnson spent 12 years as a college basketball coach before moving to the NBA, where he worked for 21 years as a front office scout and member of player personnel staffs with the Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Pelicans, LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns.
Through all of his basketball adventures, Johnson said he still has a special fondness for Ada.
“Ada is a very special place to my family and me,” he said.
One of the many highlights of his career came in 1992 when he guided the men’s basketball team at Oklahoma City University to an NAIA national championship with a perfect 38-0 record.
“It’s incredibly difficult to win a national championship at any level and in any sport,” Johnson said. “And most will agree that to go undefeated in men’s college basketball is nearly impossible. But it happened 34 years ago.”
Soon after that title run, while coaching at Baylor University, it all came crashing down.
In 1994, Johnson became the first major college basketball coach in NCAA history to be indicted by a federal grand jury over recruiting and eligibility violations. He was later fired by Baylor.
“I had everything. Money. A great family. A career,” Johnson told The Oklahoma Gazette. “ESPN had me as one of the top rising coaches in America. and then I had nothing. Literally nothing.”
At that point, Johnson had to lean on God.
“I hit rock bottom,” Johnson said. “And I had nowhere else to go. I couldn’t pull myself out. I had to rely on the grace of God.”
Johnson chronicles his meteoric rise and subsequent fall in his memoir, “It’s Only a Game,” which was published six months ago.
“It’s a faith-based, nonfiction memoir and sports book about my life,” Johnson said. “It chronicles the 1982 Ada High School team, as well as many of the other teams I coached.”
“It’s Only a Game” is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other retailers.
“Sales have been brisk, but I’m always looking for opportunities to promote the story, which seems to resonate with most everyone,” he said. “I still have many friends and family in Ada, and I thought the book might have particular interest in that area — especially to sports fans, as well as those interested in faith-based books of encouragement and inspiration.”
The foreword was written by Bill Self, head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team.
All proceeds and royalties are earmarked for faith-based charities, including FCA, Life Church, WTL Ministries and 17 Ministries.
“I have no agenda other than to help others who might be fighting personal battles and struggles of their own,” he said.
Continue reading...
