Brett Johnson has decided to return as head coach of Ceres High’s football program for at least one more season.

“There’s unfinished business,” Johnson stated. “I don’t feel like there was closure last year with the playoff situation.”

“Barring some crazy unforeseen thing, I’m very comfortable with saying this is my last year,” he added. “It’s hard to see the door close.”

The Bulldogs did not make the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs last fall despite enjoying one of their most successful seasons to date.

Ceres High amassed a 7-3 overall record and finished in second place in the Western Athletic Conference standings with a 5-2 mark.

Surprisingly, the Bulldogs were not awarded a Division-IV playoff berth.

Del Campo (5-5, 1-5 Foothill Valley League) and Fairfield (5-5, 4-1 Greater Sacramento League) received the bracket’s 11th and final playoff bids. The Cougars and Falcons took sixth and third, respectively, in their conferences.

“We were playing our best football at the end of the season,” Johnson said. “We did what we thought we had to do to make playoffs. We earned it. There’s not a single thing to show those teams should have got in ahead of us.”

“It’s disappointing the section didn’t divulge the exact reason we didn’t get into playoffs,” he added.

Johnson decided to return for his 34th season of coaching with the Bulldogs in March.

“It’s not about me,” he said. “This is what I’m supposed to be doing. God has kept me here for as long as I’ve been here. He’s opened and closed doors. It’s not an easy job. I take everything I do very seriously. I’ve seen so much growth in the kids as people.”

An assistant for 25 years, Johnson has served two different stints as the Bulldogs’ head coach.

“When I came to Ceres in 1991, I got my first chance to coach under Butch Mendonca,” he said. “The kids are what keep me coming back. I love watching them grow and helping them develop into better young men.”

Johnson began his second stint as head coach of Ceres High in 2022 following Clinton Goblirsch’s departure.

The Bulldogs had a combined record of 18-14 (12-9 in league) and made two playoff appearances under Johnson’s guidance from 2022-24.

Johnson’s first stint as leader of Ceres High spanned five seasons (2006-10). The Bulldogs amassed a 7-43 overall record.

Johnson was promoted 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. “That’s why it’s easy to be at the same place for a long time.”

“When you surround yourself with good coaches and people, good things happen,” he added. “We try really hard to make it a family environment. My goal as a coach is I want them to feel safe, appreciated and loved. They can come to me for guidance or anything. I was fortunate enough to have two of the most amazing parents. They (Larry and Annetta) were always kind and helpful.”

Johnson moved to Ceres in 1991 after his wife Robin got hired to teach health and P.E. at CHS.

Brett has worked as a teacher for Ceres Unified School District for 31 years.

He’s taught health and P.E. at Ceres High for 19 years.

He was a seventh-grade P.E. instructor at Mae Hensley Jr. High for 12 years.

“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 34 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.

Ceres High will vie for its third postseason berth in the past four seasons under Johnson’s direction this fall.

“We got a good group of kids,” he said. “They’ve been working hard in the offseason. Everybody is dialed in.”

The Bulldogs are hungry following last year’s playoff snubbing.

“It left emptiness,” Johnson said. “You don’t get over that.”