St. Edward graduate Johnson hired at Kaneland

Brian Johnson has flirted with head basketball coaching jobs in the past.

But the opportunity that came along a couple weeks ago made all the sense in the world to the 1997 St. Edward graduate and former Dundee-Crown assistant coach.

A resident of Sugar Grove, Johnson earlier this week was named varsity boys basketball coach at Kaneland High School.

"I just think it's a perfect fit," said Johnson, 29. "It's the chance to run my own program, but I want everyone -- the players, the students, the community, the teachers -- everyone to be a part of this. It's not necessarily about me."

Johnson played at St. Edward and at Judson University before graduating in 2002. After serving as a student assistant to Jim Condill at JU, Johnson landed a teaching and assistant coaching position at Dundee-Crown. He worked alongside and under current Chargers head coach Lance Huber for six seasons.

This past season Johnson was the varsity assistant to legendary West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman. Johnson also has ties to former Elgin High coach Jim Harrington.

"I appreciate everything that those coaches have taught me over the years," Johnson said. "I think they've really helped me prepare for this."

Huber, who led D-C to a fourth-place finish in Class 4A last season, said Johnson is a quality catch for Kaneland.

"He was very instrumental in developing those kids who were a key component for us (last season)," Huber said. "I think Brian is ready to run his own program. He helped us a ton. I just turned him loose and he was good at getting the most out of kids."

Johnson takes over for the departed Dennis Hansen, who also previously served as Kaneland's softball coach. Hansen was suspended from coaching at the end of the softball season and is no longer affiliated with the school.

"I think he's up to that challenge and should do a good job for them," said Kerkman.

Johnson previously passed on the head coaching position at Marian Central and was in the running for the Larkin job in 2007.

Johnson and his wife, Katie, are expecting their first child in early August. Katie Johnson teaches at West Aurora. Johnson's parents, Bill and Carol, reside in St. Charles.

"This happened really fast and came together in just a couple of weeks," said Johnson. "But I'm ecstatic to have this job. It's something I've always wanted to do is be a head coach."

Rick Armstrong contributed to this report