As the new head coach for varsity baseball, science teacher Mr. Johnson looks ahead to the spring season with two pieces of advice in mind: Follow your passions, and remember your roots.

“I wake up in the mornings on the weekends at five because I’m studying the game of baseball,” Coach Johnson said. “I live and die it.”

Mr. Johnson has been a part of Freshman, JV and Varsity in many different ways throughout his time at West Essex. He takes over this year for former Coach Illiano, and Mr. Johnson had nothing but good things to say about his predecessor.

“I was losing a mentor of mine in Coach Illiano,” Mr. Johnson said. “Having a mentor like that day in and day out is comforting. And while I was happy to take a varsity position, It is without the person who helped get me there.” He added the interviewing process was long, but well worth the wait to get the job.

The seniors are very happy with Mr. Johnson becoming the head coach of the Knights. They have no doubt that he will be able to step right in and lead this time to many victories.

“Coach Johnson should give this baseball program a better name than it already has, and I’m excited to get to play for him for one last season,” said senior player Joe Cucuzza. The team hopes that the addition of Coach Johnson will propel them to greater heights.

“Mr. Johnson allows the program to adapt a refreshing, new mindset that can ultimately build off the program that Mr. Illiano had set up in his many years,” senior player Justin Capozzi said. The team does not hope to build from the ground up, simply finish what has already been started.

“Our biggest challenge is trying to fill the shoes of five seniors last year,” Coach Johnson said. “While we don’t need to be exactly like they were, there is a lot of production to make up for there,” Mr. Johnson said. “I would say the only way to make up for that production is to focus on having the right approach for the season.”

Mr. Johnson is bringing the baseball team into a new era, and he is very confident in the leaders on the team and has high expectations for the upcoming season.

Mr. Johnson has played and coached baseball all through his life and the game has always been a part of his everyday life.

The team has a new beginning with Mr. Johnson here and have the ultimate goal of winning a state championship. With Coach Johnson now at the helm, his style of leadership should create an interesting atmosphere for the team.

Mr. Johnson also said he wants everyone to come out and support the Knights in the first game on April 2, the team’s first game to a new generation of Knights baseball. The energy from the crowd can only help the team.

“I have so much enthusiasm,” Mr. Johnson said, “for the games, practices, and all of the work that we put in.”