In this episode of TST, we talk to Jim Johnson, a high school basketball coach with experience in winless seasons, multiple championship teams, and some of his players that have made it to the NBA. Every game has historical moments where a player or players are so in the zone that they perform amazing feats. Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger's sack for Notre Dame, Team USA Hockey winning Olympic Gold in 1980, baseball's Ron Necciai throwing a nine-inning no-hitter with 27 strikeouts, and basketball's Wilt Chamberland's 100 point game. Coach Johnson created a special moment like Coach Devine for Rudy, he made J-Mac's dream come true when he put him in his first basketball game. What happened in the last few minutes of that final game which honored seniors was nothing less than a miracle.

More About Coach Jim Johnson

www.coachjimjohnson.com

On Feb. 15, 2006, Coach Johnson made the kindhearted gesture of inserting his autistic manager, Jason McElwain, now known to the world as J-Mac into Greece Athena High School’s final home game, which the Trojans won 79-43. J-Mac scored 20 points in just over four minutes, including six three-point baskets, to become an instant national celebrity. Coach Johnson, also, was featured in major news outlets around the country.  To make the Hollywood ending complete, Greece Athena captured the first Section V title of Coach Johnson’s career a few weeks later. A second sectional crown followed in 2007, and Coach Johnson then coached the Trojans to their third straight league title in 2008 by posting a perfect 12-0 record in league play, netting Coach of the Year honors.  Coach Johnson has made a number of radio and television appearances, including the Oprah Winfrey and Jim Rome shows. In 2006 he met President George W. Bush, Governor George Pataki, and Senator Hillary Clinton, to name just a few luminaries. The Athena team was also paid a visit at school by NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson. J-Mac’s magic moment won the ESPY for “Best Sports Moment” at the ESPN awards show later that year.

That Sounds Terrific - With Host Nick Koziol

For more information on our Podcast, That Sounds Terrific visit our website at www.thatsoundsterrific.com  and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you or someone you know are doing some terrific things that should be featured by our show then be sure to reach out by emailing us at [email protected].