Joe Johnson served as UBC soccer head coach for 25 seasons and took UBC soccer to literally the next level.
In Scotland, Johnson's country of origin, he is still remembered as an outstanding athlete and star soccer player having played professionally with the Glasgow Rangers from 1946 until 1955.
Following his career in Scotland which also included the Navy during World War II, Johnson moved to Canada ostensibly to promote, play and coach his passion – football, or soccer as it is known in North America. He arrived to coach at UBC in the fall of 1961 and from that season through 1985/86 was UBC's one and only soccer head coach. These were the days when full-time coaches were required to teach and Johnson fulfilled this obligation by serving as Associate Professor at UBC's School of Human Kinetics. Joe's real passion however was playing the game of soccer, even when he was coaching at UBC. His coaching style did not incorporate the sophisticated systems of today but proved to be more of "leading by example".
There were several highlights during Johnson's UBC coaching career. During his second season, his 'Birds compiled an 18 game undefeated streak, led by goalie George Hrennikoff and record-setting goal scorer John Haar. The next season, 1963, UBC reeled off eight straight victories with newcomer Dick Mosher complimenting the ever-improving squad.
Nineteen sixty four saw a major achievement in the fact UBC was admitted to the top-ranked Pacific Coach League, arguably Canada's premiere soccer league. Under coach Johnson's guidance the Thunderbirds had reached the "big time". In only its second season into the league, UBC finished in second place as the dawning of a "golden age" was apparent.
By 1967 UBC was at the top of its game – it won the Pacific Coast League championship – a UBC first. And despite the emergence and competition of cross-town rival Simon Fraser University and its strong soccer program, coach Johnson was still able to recruit stellar players to UBC. For example, this '67 team featured Haar along with Jim Berry, Ken Elmer, Kirby Carter, Harvey Thom and Ash Valdal among many others. To top off this '67 season, UBC defeated SFU 5 – 0 and with a 10 – 0 victory over Manitoba won the unofficial Western Canadian university championship.
The next season saw Johnson's 'Birds fighting for first in the PCL as UBC was fortunate to have PCL star goalie Barry Sadler in the fold. Sadler this season recorded a league record-tieing 13 shutouts, no doubt with the assistance of John Haar's outstanding defensive play.
In 1974 UBC won the Canada West title for the first time (it was first contested in 1973) then went on to defeat Loyola and Dalhousie to win the Canadian university championship. At the same time the 'Birds led by future professionals Daryl Samson, Brian Budd and Greg Weber were in the hunt for the PCL title.
UBC won the Canada West title again in the 1977 then in 1984 whipped Saskatchewan 7-0 to win Canada West once again. This was followed by victories over McGill and Carleton to capture its second national university championship.
Nineteen eighty five was definitely a highlight. UBC capped an undefeated season by winning the Canada West title then led by goalie Brian Kennedy, Gregor Young and Mike Malana defeated Laurentian and Concordia to give Johnson his third CIS championship in the 12 years in which it was to that point contested. This season Johnson received CIS Coach of the Year honours and it could be said laid the foundation for what would be a most successful run for UBC through the '80s and '90s.
It was ironic in that this very successful 85/86 season would prove to be Johnson's last at UBC. Due to his being 65 years of age he was required to retire from the university according to university rules at the time. He was still enthusiastic and would have loved to continue coaching on campus however. Yet he remains one of the few UBC coaches to have served as varsity head coach for more than 20 years. Moreover he launched a new level of UBC soccer success, in effect the foundation for the many championships that would follow.
In 1991, as a tribute to Joe, the Johnson family and CIS instituted the Joe Johnson Memorial trophy, awarded annually to the outstanding male Canadian university soccer player of the year.
Researched and written by Fred Hume, Historian, UBC Athletics
