By: Carissa Chavez
The softball season at Redwood High School is ready to start with a new coach. Stevi Johnson will be leading the team this year.
Johnson says, “Getting the opportunity to coach at a high school in the city where I was raised is an absolute privilege.”
Leading a team requires lots of responsibility and support from the school. Johnson says, “The teachers, coaches, and administration are all on the same team and I get support from all angles [and] my experience so far has been nothing but positive.”
Johnson does have experience with coaching and she says, “My coaching experience comes from the Division I college softball level.” Her past coaching experience took place in Southern California.
Coaching at a high school level and college level is different in many ways. “The biggest difference I have noticed is the support from the administration [who] are always willing to step up,” she says. “Having a strong support system like that is something I am so appreciative of”.
Johnson talks about her passion and favorite parts about softball. “The best thing about coaching softball is the relationship I am able to build with the kids,” she says. “Getting to know the players on a personal level, working hard, and having fun is what it is all about.”
“I have never coached at a high school level so it will be a transition from college [and] I have also only coached at one school.”
“There will be a learning curve with the age group, but I am confident in the talent of the girls that I have, their ability to adapt a new coaching style, and the high level of expectation I will bring.”
Johnson has a lot of hopes for her team this year. She plans on building relationships with her team by really getting to know who they are. She says, “I plan to build relationships with them (her team) by getting to know who they are… I am big on building a culture that centers around not only being good athletes but being good people on and off the field, as well.”
Johnson shares her experience with college-level coaching and says, “My three years of coaching experience at the DI college level has prepared me for coaching here at Redwood.”
“While I have not coached high school, I believe coaching at the highest collegiate level has taught me a lot about player development, culture building, and what it takes to be a successful program,” she says.
Johnson continues to share her excitement about teaching at Redwood and says, “I am beyond excited about getting the chance to coach here at Redwood High School [and] I have heard some great things about the talent that is returning, as well as the freshman class.”
“I look forward to getting out there with the girls, getting our Fall workouts started, and starting off the 2022 season on the right foot,” she says.
Morgan Bradford ‘23 is on the softball team and says, “It’s definitely different, I think all the girls are really excited for something new.” “It’s gonna be a fun year, honestly I think it’s going to go well,” she says.
This season she is super excited for a new start with the coach. “I am excited to see how the team does and where we end up,” she says.
As a college-level coach is teaching this year Bradford says, “It’s nice to have a coach who has really well experience and did very well in the game themselves and [also] who is very knowledgeable and helpful to all the girls on the team.”
“She seems like a very amazing coach,” she says. “She is super nice and very kind voiced [and] she sounds like she’s ready to get going and work hard.”
Although she is a new coach, Johnson and her team are going to be working hard to have a successful season this year!
Carissa Chavez
Carissa Chavez '25 is a second time year journalism writer with the Redwood Gigantea. She enjoys writing and is excited to write stories throughout the year about Sports. Outside of Redwood Gigantea, Carissa is a part of the Redwood Girls Golf and dance team. You can reach her by email at caris.ch3841@vusd.us
Tags: Carissa Chavez, coach, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, softball, softball coach, sports
Stevi Johnson joined the Charleston Southern softball staff prior to the 2019 season after a successful playing career with the Buccaneers.
Did Stevi coach in SoCal?