Jim Johnson (coach)

James Archie Johnson Jr. (September 10, 1912 – November 27, 2004) was an American football, basketball, and baseball player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He was tapped to reintroduce men's sports to East Carolina after World War II. He was the seventh head coach of the football, basketball and baseball teams at East Carolina Teachers College. He also was the athletic director for all sports teams. Before coaching, Johnson was a 16 letter winning athlete between 1933 and 1937. Johnson was inducted in 1978 into the ECU Hall of Fame.

Jim Johnson
Johnson pictured in The Tecoan 1947, ECU yearbook
Biographical details
Born(1912-09-10)September 10, 1912
Cary, North Carolina
DiedNovember 27, 2004(2004-11-27) (aged 92)[1]
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Playing career
Football
1933–1937East Carolina
Position(s)Tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1946–1948East Carolina
Basketball
1946–1947East Carolina
Head coaching record
Overall8–18–1 (football)
17–10 (basketball)

"12th Man Tackle"

In October 1977, William & Mary met heavily favored East Carolina University in the Oyster Bowl. In the fourth quarter ECU led by three points. During the game's final seconds, William & Mary quarterback Tom Rozantz broke loose and ran for the end zone. Jim Johnson, described by The Virginian Pilot as "a portly 65-year-old gentleman in a raincoat", ran from the sidelines and threw a block tackle on Rozantz before he could score the winning touchdown. The unusual turn of events silenced the screaming William & Mary fans, and the officials gathered to discuss their course of action. After deliberation, the play was ruled a touchdown.[2][3]

Head coaching record

Football
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
East Carolina Pirates (Independent) (1946)
1946 East Carolina 5–3–1
East Carolina Pirates (North State Conference) (1947–1948)
1947 East Carolina 3–61–38th
1948 East Carolina 0–90–69th
East Carolina: 7–17–11–9
Total:7–17–1

References
  2. Coach Jim tackled a lot in life, but one was most memorable, The Virginian Pilot, December 1, 2004, retrieved February 3, 2009.
  3. Pirate Alumni newsletter June 23, 2008, retrieved February 1, 2009.
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