On Jan. 25, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education announced that Shawn Johnson would lead the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Raiders football team out of the locker room for the 2024 season. Johnson replaces former coach Austin Holman.
“Coach Johnson has a strong passion for creating the best possible environment for our student-athletes,” SPFHS athletic director Ryan Miller told The Fanscotian.
A true Raider, Johnson grew up an athletic star in SPF, playing varsity football, and now gives back to the community in various ways.
Johnson is a retired Scotch Plains police sergeant and is currently the Police Athletic League (PAL) President. With the PAL, he has been active in the football program, coaching teams from grades four through eight. Along with his involvement in the PAL, Johnson is an assistant coach of the boys varsity basketball team.
“Coach Johnson represents a lifetime of loyal commitment to the communities of Scotch Plains and Fanwood,” Miller said.
Johnson served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1994 to 2004 and has coached many SPF athletes since they were young. This move comes after a 3-7 2023 season, in which SPF faced challenges on both sides of the ball.
