Larry Johnsen Jr. is stepping down as head coach of Geneseo High School’s varsity football team after 20 seasons in that role.
Johnsen, who became only the fifth head coach of the Green Machine since 1962 when he took the job in 2004, finishes with a career record of 145-67 on Geneseo’s sideline, just one victory short of the legendary Bob Reade (146-21-4).
Johnsen plans to continue teaching wellness classes and driver’s education for two more years before retiring.
“I’ve missed spending time with my family,” Johnsen said on Thursday. “At this point, both of my kids are done with their high school athletic careers, and in college, both will be or are already involved with sports in the fall. I have always felt that if you have too many priorities, you don’t have any. Something had to give.”
Johnsen graduated from GHS (then J.D. Darnall Senior High School) in 1987, where he played for his father, Larry Johnsen Sr. He then attended and played football at Winona State University in Minnesota for a year before spending three years at Augustana College in Rock Island.
Following coaching stints at Spoon River Valley High School and Pittsfield High School, Johnsen returned to Geneseo as an assistant coach on Denny Diericx’s staff in 1998.
“Since the first day of my life, I’ve been around Geneseo football in some way, shape or form,” said Johnsen. “Geneseo was always the place for me. I love the game of football and I love Geneseo. It was my dream job. I was able to come back to Geneseo in 1998 when Ted McAvoy and Harold Ford hired me. When I was named head coach in 2004, it’s all I ever wanted to do.”
During Johnsen’s tenure, the Green Machine finished as state runner-up in 2009 and 2013. While those were memorable campaigns for Johnsen, he also cherishes the years that his children, Lauren and Luke, were on and around the team.
“This past year meant a lot to me being able to coach Luke, as well as his friends,” he said. “I also loved the years that Lauren was involved with the program as a trainer. I’ve been able to have my nieces and nephews around too and that was always special for me. It felt like an extended family whenever Friday night came around.”
Football has always been a family affair for Johnsen, who credits his parents, Larry and Bonnie Johnsen, and wife, Sarah, for having the most influence on him.
“I couldn’t have done it without my parents and Sarah,” Johnsen said. “It wasn’t just my dad, it was my mom, too. She’s been sitting in those stands for 50 years. She and Sarah may not have been on the field, but when they saw something, they made a suggestion and I always valued their opinions. They also offered great perspectives as moms, and that was so helpful.”
Johnsen said that Bob Reade and the Augustana staff also played a prominent role in helping form his coaching style.
“When I was at Winona State as a freshman, it was just different,” Johnsen explained. “Coming back and going to Augie, it gave me a security blanket. Coach Reade, Don Davis, Tom Schmulbach and everyone there had a tremendous impact on me and that kept everything in perspective. The Augie staff really helped me with my approach and philosophies.”
For Johnsen, not being on the sidelines at Bob Reade Field will be an adjustment. But walking away now allows him to attend more of Lauren’s volleyball games at Cornell College and see Luke as he continues his football career at Western Illinois University.
“We can’t thank Coach Johnsen enough for what he’s done over the last 20 seasons,” said Joe Nichols, Geneseo High School’s Athletic Director. “Larry has been an extremely dedicated coach who has given so much to our community in ways that extend far beyond football. We will miss him on our sidelines, but we’re glad to have his professionalism in our building for a couple more years and are happy he gets to spend more time watching his children compete.”
As Johnsen looks back on his journey, he’s thankful he was able to spend so much of it in Geneseo and grateful for the endless community support.
“When you get into teaching and coaching, it’s about trying to help young people develop into adults, create positive habits and become responsible,” said Johnsen. “Being able to do those things in Geneseo was a dream come true for me. We gave kids an opportunity to play for what I feel is the greatest school in America, and that’s pretty special.”
Photos courtesy of Geneseo Current
