Athletic director announces retirement

Scott Johnson to retire amid controvesy surrounding suspended women's basketball coach

Staff Report / The Collegian

Scott Johnson, Fresno State’s athletic director, announced he will be retiring when his contract expires at the end of June.

Johnson, who has been employed at Fresno State for more than 24 years, is in his fourth year as athletic director at the university. He spent time as associate athletic director, in media relations, radio and television, fund-raising and special projects.

“I have been considering retiring from this position for several months,” Johnson said in a news release. “I’m looking forward to having the time to pursue new opportunities and spend quality time with my family.

“Because of the items that need to be addressed in the department in the near future, I have indicated to [university] president [John] Welty that he may want to appoint someone immediately to lead the department during the transition. I am prepared to assist the department in any way I can to assure a smooth transition.”

Welty said he is encouraging Johnson to stay involved with Fresno State, according to the release.

“Scott has made a lasting contribution to this university,” Welty said. “I’m looking to him to continue to lead in work with our alumni, friends and volunteers.”

Johnson’s retirement plans come in the midst of women’s basketball coach Stacy Johnson-Klein’s paid administrative leave by the university.

But the athletic director says his decision to retire is not related to the situation with Johnson-Klein.

“I know some may want to connect my retirement announcement with items in the news about the women’s basketball coach’s suspension,” Johnson said. “There simply isn’t any connection. No matter when I made this announcement there would have been some other time or event that people would try to link to the announcement.”

During Johnson’s tenure, the university saw facility improvements, such as the development of the new Ricchiuti Academic Center and the expansion of the Duncan Building.

Some of the athletic program’s other accomplishments under Johnson include an all-time high 2.91 cumulative grade point average for student-athletes, boosting the community service of student-athletes and scheduling such big-name football opponents as USC, Washington, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Colorado, among several other big-name programs.

But there have also been several controversies during Johnson’s time at the helm.

Some of those controversies include the men’s basketball program facing NCAA sanctions because of violations that occurred during the tenure of former coach Jerry Tarkanian, several basketball players being suspended during the 2003-04 season under coach Ray Lopes, and the elimination of the men’s soccer and women’s swimming and diving teams because of budget cuts.

Tarkanian’s tenure as coach of the basketball team also ended under Johnson.

Johnson began his time as athletic director on Jan. 7, 2002 after serving on an interim basis starting July 3, 2001. He replaced former athletic director Al Bohl.