This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Johnson Set High Standards at Wise High School

The 32-year-old is leaving Upper Marlboro to take a job with his alma mater in D.C.

While the Upper Marlboro community is saddened by O.J. Johnson's departure from Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, friends and colleagues wish him well as the new basketball coach at St. Alban’s School in Washington, D.C.

The 32-year-old Johnson is a 1997 graduate of the all-boys college preparatory school in Northwest Washington. He's returning to his alma mater to head up the varsity basketball program.

Johnson takes over a program that finished 14-14, including 3-7 in the Interstate Athletic Conference this past season. He replaces Duane Simpkins, who resigned earlier this year to become the Director of Men’s Basketball Operations at Towson University.

Find out what's happening in Upper Marlborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Although he looks forward to returning to St. Alban's, Johnson has mixed emotions about leaving Wise.

“I’m very excited,” he told Patch. “At the same time I’m very torn. It’s a bittersweet moment. I know Wise will continue to do great things.”

Find out what's happening in Upper Marlborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During a five-year stint at Wise, Johnson compiled a 90-32 record and led the Pumas to the 4A league title during the 2010-2011 campaign. He was selected to coach the Capital All-Stars this year in the 38th annual Capital Classic High School All-Star Game. Johnson, a Georgetown University graduate, also guided Wise to an appearance in the 4A state championship game in 2009.

“I think Wise is losing a great coach,” said Tyrone Massenburg, boys’ head basketball coach at Upper Marlboro’s Frederick Douglass High. “We definitely had our share of battles. I’m sure he’ll do a good job [at St. Alban's].”

Since opening in 2006, Wise has made great strides in both academics and athletics. The football program has won the region title and advanced to the 4A state championship game in each of the last two seasons. The girls basketball program also captured a region title and reached the 4A state title game this year.

During the spring, the baseball team earned the program’s first ever 4A South Region championship and the school had an individual state champion in track and field this year. Rising senior Champ Page captured gold medals in both the 200- and 400-meter dash events.

“I think we’re going to miss him a lot,” said Wise head football coach DaLawn Parrish, 34, who noted that Johnson set high standards for the Wise athletic program during his tenure. “He’s one of the founding members of the school.”

Wise has the distinction of featuring the largest gymnasium of any high school in the Baltimore-Washington corridor with a seating capacity of 5,000 spectators not to mention an indoor track.

Johnson was recognized by the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association (MSADA) as the 2011 District 3 Athletic Director of the Year. While he's thankful for the opportunity to lay the foundation for the boys basketball program, Johnson gave credit to former Wise principal Monica Goldson.

“It was difficult when we opened up,” he said, “But it was worth it. I think I’ve learned a lot of things through my period here in Prince George’s County.”

Added Parrish, “I’m going to miss him tremendously. He did a great job ... of just giving our program overall direction. O.J. is wiser than his years. He definitely set a high standard for our age group.

“One thing about O.J., he was always preaching a total program. He stressed the total program and he supported you. I can’t say enough about him. He was a great athletic director to work with and a great friend, too.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Upper Marlboro