West Central Reporter

After nearly three decades leading the Western Illinois University men's soccer program, Dr. Eric Johnson has announced his retirement. Johnson, who joined WIU in 1997 after coaching at Loras College, became the most successful coach in the history of Leathernecks men’s soccer.

Reflecting on his early days at Loras College, Johnson recounted his struggles maintaining the soccer field: "I had to water it with a two-inch hose and move the hose around all summer to keep (the field) green," Johnson said. "So every day, in the morning, I moved the hose, and then every night, about 10 o'clock, I would run over to the field and move the hose again. I had to do that all summer to keep that field as healthy as possible, to make it through the season.

"And they kept telling me, 'Oh, we're going to get you a water wheel', which has the self wind-up hose. Just start it, and then it shuts off by itself. They kept saying they were going to do it, and then in the spring budget meeting it would get cut."

The last time this equipment was denied in 1997 prompted Johnson to look for other opportunities. He found an opening at Western Illinois University and soon began a period of sustained achievement with WIU’s men's soccer team.

Johnson led Western Illinois University’s men’s soccer program to six NCAA tournament appearances and secured four regular-season conference titles along with six conference tournament championships across both the Mid-Continent Conference and Summit League. He was named conference coach of the year five times during his tenure.

Describing his decision to retire as “really hard,” Johnson said: "When you start looking like I do, people were saying, 'What are you doing?'" He added: "I still have a love for the game and for coaching, so that made (the decision) pretty tough."

A native of Denver, Colorado, Johnson holds degrees from Calvin College (BA), Florida Atlantic University (MA), and earned his doctorate from University of New Mexico. His career includes experience coaching both men’s and women’s teams at Loras College as well as significant involvement with USYSA Midwest Regional teams since 1999.

Upon taking up his role at WIU—a position requiring part-time coaching and teaching—Johnson believed he was uniquely qualified: "The post was part-time coaching, part-time teaching," Johnson said. "And the requirements were, minimum master's degree and United States Soccer Federation B license, preferred were the USSF A license and a PhD. And I look at it and I go,'Well there's no one else in the country with both an A license and coaching (experience) and a PhD. I'm going to get this job if I apply for it.'"

He credited much of his success at WIU not only to recruiting but also creating a strong team culture: "The key was recruiting — finding guys, and then figuring out who you can get to come to Macomb and stay in Macomb," he said. "Then it was how fast can you put a team together. You've got to create something special in terms of attitude, effort, team family — that culture of winning that can be hard to put together."

Among memorable moments during his career was recruiting Justin Langan—who played both soccer for Johnson's squad and football as a kicker—and adapting schedules so Langan could participate fully in both sports: "We flew him to games; his parents drove him from soccer to football and vice versa," Johnson recalled.

From 2016-2021 he also served as head coach for WIU’s women’s soccer program: "That was when my hair really started to turn gray," Johnson said with humor about managing overlapping responsibilities.

Announcing his retirement brought mixed emotions: "I think the memories have brought up some of the emotions," he said. However he noted that stepping aside now is best for both himself and his players: "But I don't want to be in a place where people think,'He's hanging on too long...and so that's part of it.' And think my players need maybe a new voice."

Johnson expressed interest in staying involved with Leathernecks athletics on a volunteer basis while spending more time with family.

Looking back on what initially motivated him toward change all those years ago—a better way of watering fields—he concluded on an ironic note about WIU facilities today:

"Guess what we water the field at Western with," Johnson said.

A water wheel?

"You got it," he said.