New York Giants Name Ridgewood's Chuck Johnson 'Coach Of The Week'

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — After notching his 300th career win two weeks ago, Ridgewood High School football Coach Chuck Johnson was selected as High School Coach of the Week by the New York Giants.

Johnson is the third coach in North Jersey history to win 300 games and the first to accomplish the feat while coaching exclusively at public schools, the Giants said in a statement.

Each week during the high school football season, the Giants select one area high school football coach as the winner. Selected coaches are committed to promoting youth football, developing student-athletes, and contributing to their community, the statement added.

Johnson has coached at Ridgewood since 1984 and has compiled a 265-20-1 record; this is six wins short of the most wins by a North Jersey coach at one school. Prior to Ridgewood, Johnson coached six seasons at Bogota from 1978 to 1983, posting a 35-19-1 record. He now boasts a 300-145-2 all-time record.

In his career at Ridgewood, Johnson has led the program to seven state titles, including recurring contests in 2003-04 and 2018-19. His 2016 championship team finished the year with a perfect regular and postseason record.

A 1970 graduate of Ridgewood, Johnson rejoined his alma mater to teach until May 2020. His retirement enabled him to fully commit to the football program. After a medically necessary leave of absence, the statement said, Johnson "reiterated his commitment" to the team.

"There is nothing I would rather be doing than coaching football at Ridgewood High School," he said.

His "incredible resiliency" enabled the Maroons to go 7-2 after Johnson's 2021 return, the statement added.

"It has been a labor of love from day one," Johnson said about his role. "To be able to come back to my hometown and be the head coach and be able to have the success we've had, to be able to coach the kids of so many people who I've been associated with throughout my life, it's been a great privilege and one that I've never taken lightly," he said.

In recognition of Johnson's selection, a $2,000 check will be granted to the school's football program. He will also receive a certificate of recognition signed by Giants' Coach Brian Daboll and will be honored at a dinner following the season and at a 2023 preseason home game.