E 46: Jim Johnson: How Finding Your “Why” Will Lead You to Success - On and Off the Court

On this episode of the Massimo Show Rod sits down with highschool basketball coach and motivational speaker, Jim Johnson. 

Based on what transpired in a few short moments in early 2006, Coach Jim Johnson is now an authority on the subject of realizing your dreams. In his many public-speaking appearances, the Rochester, New York resident relates his role in a basketball game that got Hollywood calling. He also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship, delivering his talks with a heartfelt style that has brought audiences to their feet.

Coach Johnson has developed winning high-school basketball teams for 30 years, taking over three losing varsity programs and turning them into winners in short periods of time. Of his 428 career victories, one in particular will surely never be duplicated.

On Feb. 15, 2006, Coach Johnson made the kindhearted gesture of inserting his autistic manager, Jason McElwain, now known to the world as J-Mac into Greece Athena High School’s final home game, which the Trojans won 79-43. J-Mac scored 20 points in just over four minutes, including six three-point baskets, to become an instant national celebrity. Coach Johnson, also, was featured in major news outlets around the country.

To make the Hollywood ending complete, Greece Athena captured the first Section V title of Coach Johnson’s career a few weeks later.

Jim Johnson grew up in a large family, the eldest of 6 (3 brothers and 2 sisters).  His dad was a PE teacher and was his high school basketball coach.  Jim’s father was a key role in his life.  “He gave me the real passion to want to coach.” Jim recalls. 

Jim played a lot of sports while he was young, but in middle school basketball became his passion. He was lucky to play for his dad in high school and when he went to college and was cut from the team after his second year he knew his dream of playing in the NBA was not going to manifest. After college, Jim wanted to be a teacher and a high school basketball coach. He worked for 3 years as an assistant coach in Greece, NY where he had grown up.  At 25, he got a break to be a head coach about 25 minutes from where he grew up.  “My first year coaching, I wanted to take them from the outhouse to the penthouse!  I led that team to 17 consecutive losses.” Jim laughs.  Ultimately he was let go from the position and his own loss became a great motivator for him to become a better coach. After that Jim started to read and study a lot about being a better leader.  

One of the books Jim picked up was The Seven Habits by Dr. Covey.  “He talked about the Seven habits, but also talked about having a Why in your life.” Jim tells Rod.   Now, Jim focuses on pushing people to find and understand their “Why”.  Exploring your personal mission and leading yourself first became hallmarks of Jim’s life and his coaching style. “My personal mission is to be an outstanding role model that makes a positive difference in the world by helping others make their dreams come true.” Jim says. 

Leadership traits that are consistently found in good leaders: 

1) Lead by example.  Come in with a positive attitude everyday

2) Have a service mindset.  

Watching his Why become a Reality 

Jim had been coaching for over 20 years and had never won a sectional championship.  But this year, he had a strong team.  Jason McElway was the team manager and was on the autism spectrum.  What was unique about Jason was his passion for basketball.  “I have coached for thirty years and rarely would have someone keep trying out if they hadn’t made the team the previous year.” Jim says. Jason didn’t make the team for 3 straight years.  His senior year, he was so committed to the program that Jim wanted him to suit him up to play.  “It was senior night, I wanted to get Jason in so he could score.  We had a great crowd that night.”  With just over 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter, Jason was put in to play.  When he went in the student body gave him a standing ovation, the parents stood up with a head shot of Jason on a paint stick, and the emotions Jim felt were overwhelming.  Jim’s team was 20 points up when Jason entered the game. The first time he had the ball, he had a 3 point shot and missed. The next possession he had a 10 footer that he missed but he was getting closer.  The third possession with just over three minutes, Jason was in the spot for another 3 pointer and he made the shot.  At that point, Jim was elated.  The team kept passing him the ball.  He made a shot from the arc, almost an NBA 3 and Jim was thinking oh no Jason that is way too far.  He launches and swish it goes in! The crowd ran out on the floor along with the team.  “At this point I have no idea how many points he scored, and the public announcer comes on and says the leading scorer was J Mac with 20 points. The greatest moment in my coaching career.” 

But the excitement for Jason didn’t stop in that high school gym. A student who videoed the game put it on the internet and it went viral.  Jason’s speech pathologist called the news station and said you need to see this.  From there, it was sent out nationally.  Jim got invited to go on the Oprah Show with Jason and and his parents. 

Despite the national attention, Jim and his team had more games to play. They had never got to a semifinals but this year they won and were on the way to the finals.  The place was sold out.  They were down 14-3 just 4 minutes into the game.  But they came back to win it. “That was the first win for a sectional championship for us.” Jim tells Rod. “ Later that night as we ate, We watched highlights of our sectional win on ESPN.  We won the next year as well.  The last nine years, Jason came back to help coach and we won 4 more sectional championships.”   

To this day the only thing Jim wishes we could have changed about his life and his career is finding his “Why” earlier in my life.