Ex-Ben Lomond football coach Lyndon Johnson to become next Scots boys hoops coach
Recently resigned football coach switching back to basketball
PATRICK CARR, Standard-Examiner file photo
Ben Lomond High football coach Lyndon Johnson, center, talks to the team during its game against Tooele on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at the Spence Eccles Ogden Community Sports Complex in Ogden.OGDEN — Jumping from the gridiron to the hardwood, Lyndon Johnson is set to replace Tanoka Beard as Ben Lomond’s head boys basketball coach beginning next season, BL athletic director Kable Smith told the Standard-Examiner on Monday.
Hired in 2019, Beard, a former center at Boise State, resigned in May following his sixth season as head coach of the Scots’ boys hoops program. A 6-19 finish capped Beard’s tenure at 38-103 with just one winning season (2021-22) during his time at the helm.
In Beard’s place steps Johnson, who similarly resigned from his post as BL’s head football coach this fall following his sixth season, an 0-10 finish, leading the program. Mississippi native Ty Smith filled Johnson’s place in February, with Johnson set to continue playing a role in the school district’s strength and conditioning programs.
“It’s something I never thought I’d do again,” Johnson said. “I had a couple of young men approach me when (Beard) stepped down and I thought long and hard about it.”
Johnson followed his father, Ralph, who coached BL’s football team from 1984 to 1989, taking over the reigns in 2019.
Now, Johnson’s veered back into basketball with BL’s boys hoops vacancy. A former head coach at Roy, Brighton and Northridge, Johnson’s taking up his fourth courtside gig following a four-year run with the Knights in 2019.
BL, in particular, is searching for its next program-changer. In February, the Scots won their first playoff game since 2022, defeating No. 18 Providence Hall 64-34 as the No. 15 seed. Johnson, in particular, is concerned about sport specialization, an athlete’s focus devoted to a primary sport, and its impact the trend amongst high school athletes has on overall athletics participation.
Staying involved, and encouraging multi-sport behavior, is atop Johnson’s list in any head coaching role.
“Especially here, we just don’t have enough kids that participate,” Johnson said. “Football’s a huge job. Basketball’s big but there’s not as many things to do because of numbers, equipment and fundraising and so many other things.”
However, the Scots could be in luck. At Brighton, Johnson found recurring success during his seven seasons and 115-65 run as the Bengals’ head coach. Johnson led Brighton to the 5A state semifinals twice, first in 2004 and again in 2008.
Connect with sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.
