Today marks the start of the 2026-27 academic year for Ceres High School students, staff and faculty.
Longtime coach/teacher Brett Johnson’s presence on campus will be greatly missed as he retired in June.
He left an indelible mark while dedicating over three decades of his life to serving as a mentor to people of all ages in the community.
“It’s never been about me,” said Johnson, who turned 60 in February. “The driving force for me staying there so long was the kids. That’s what kept me coming back. I’m going to miss them. I’m also going to miss my co-workers and daily interactions I had with my friends. I’ve been so blessed. It’s amazing.”
Johnson worked as a teacher for Ceres Unified School District for 31 years.
He taught health and P.E. at Ceres High for 19 years.
Johnson served as head coach of the Bulldogs’ football and track and field programs for nine and 12 seasons, respectively.
He coached at the high school for a total of 35 years.
“It’s definitely going to be hard not having him around on campus,” said Debin Cowell, Johnson’s successor in football, offensive coordinator the past two seasons and former student at Mae Hensley Jr. High in the 1990s. “He’s such a good role model. He’s a fantastic person. Very high character. He’s willing to go the extra mile to help people out.”
“I met coach Johnson at a coaching clinic in 2005 when I was at Riverbank High School,” said Paul Smith, Brett’s successor in track and field, and assistant coach for a combined 11 seasons at Ceres High. “He made an impression on me back then. He has high expectations. He’s a consummate, positive presence. He has a wonderful sense of humor. He wants to help people be the best versions of themselves. He walks the walk. It was a privilege and honor to work with him. I’m happy to call him my friend. We’ll definitely miss him.”
Johnson served two different stints as head coach of Ceres High’s football program.
He was an assistant for 25 years.
“When I came to Ceres in 1991, I got my first chance to coach under Butch Mendonca,” Johnson said prior to the start of the 2025 season. “The kids are what keep me coming back. I love watching them grow and helping them develop into better young men.”
The Bulldogs had a combined record of 21-22 (14-14 in league) and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs twice under Johnson’s guidance from 2022-25.
Ceres High enjoyed one of its best seasons to date in 2024.
The Bulldogs posted a 7-3 overall record and finished in second place in the Western Athletic Conference standings with a 5-2 mark.
Just two football teams from Ceres High have won at least seven games during a season since 2004.
Johnson’s first stint as leader of the Bulldogs spanned five seasons (2006-10). Ceres High amassed a 7-43 overall record.
Johnson was promoted to head coach following 14 years as an assistant coach. He replaced Bret Durossette, who stepped down following a six-year stint in which he led Ceres High to one league title, two playoff berths and a 26-36 overall record. Johnson was the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator during Durossette’s tenure.
“When I get into something, I’m very committed and loyal,” Johnson said in a past interview with the Courier. “That’s why it’s easy to be at the same place for a long time.”
Johnson coached his 35th and final season of football with the Bulldogs in 2025.
He decided to return for one last year after the Sac-Joaquin Section failed to award Ceres High a playoff berth in 2024 despite its 7-3 record.
“There was unfinished business,” Johnson said. “I don’t feel like there was closure with the playoff situation.
Ceres High had a 3-8 overall record and took sixth in the WAC (2-5) under Johnson’s direction this past fall.
The Bulldogs closed out the year with a 44-6 loss to the Argonaut Mustangs on the road during an inaugural CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Bowl Series Game.
“We all love coach Johnson,” Ceres High senior quarterback Parker Borges said after suiting up for Johnson for the final time. “He’s been a big role model for all of us. He’s one of the greatest persons I’ve ever met. He’s helped me become a better man.”
“Knowing it was my final game, it was very emotional,” Johnson added. “I’ve always coached because I love the kids. I had the desire to make them better young men and football players.”
Johnson was Ceres High’s track and field head coach from 2014-25.
He was an assistant coach this past spring.
Ceres High’s boys team finished undefeated against WAC competition in 2026.
The Bulldogs defended their conference regular-season title with a perfect 7-0 record.
Ceres High placed first overall at the WAC Championships for the first in program history.
“Coach Johnson is a Ceres legend,” Central Valley second-year head coach/former Ceres High multi-sport athlete Luis Calderon said. “He means a lot to me. I looked up to him in high school. He was my coach and health teacher. He helped me grow. A lot of the traits he taught me, I’m using them to this day. He’s an inspiring person. I owe him a lot.”
Johnson moved to Ceres in 1991 after his wife Robin got hired to teach health and P.E. at CHS.
He was a seventh-grade P.E. instructor at Mae Hensley Jr. High for 12 years prior to being hired as a teacher/coach at Ceres High.
“I got into coaching because my playing career was over,” said Johnson, who played two seasons of football at Humboldt State. “I loved the game and wanted to share some of the life lessons I learned from playing.”
Brett and Robin have been married for 35 years.
They have two sons.
Caden and Conner both attended Ceres schools and earned college scholarships.
Brett got to spend a lot of time with Caden and Conner at CHS.
They played football and did track and field.
Robin has been Brett’s biggest supporter.
“My wife has been amazing,” he said.
“It’s been an honor being “married” to CHS football for 35 years!” Robin said in a post on Facebook about her husband. “This coach has loved, role modeled, guided, counseled, parented, encouraged, taught, celebrated, prayed, and yes, coached with unconditional integrity and passion for as long as I’ve known him. Sure, victories on the field are exciting but only last a moment. The “character-building” of these young men is something I have witnessed throughout the decades of his coaching. This “victory” impacts generations and it is Coach Johnson’s ultimate legacy.”
Brett and Robin stayed busy the entire summer.
“We were gone more than we were home,” he said. “We went to a few celebrations of life. We did some fun stuff as well.”
Retirement plans will include playing golf and traveling to other countries to do missionary work.
“Conner and his wife Shania are expecting their first child,” Brett said. “We’re going to be grandparents. Once the baby is here, that’s going to be a focal point.”
When asked if he planned to attend Ceres High football games and track and field meets as a spectator, Johnson said: “I’m probably going to do it incognito, sneak in and watch. I’m sure it’s going to be weird not being on the sidelines. This will be the first time since 1993 I won’t be coaching football in some shape or form. I want nothing but the best for the program.”
