Justin Johnson joined the UC Riverside Baseball coaching staff in September of 2014 as the program's director of baseball operations following one year as the head coach at Saint Katherine College. He became a volunteer assistant with the Highlanders the following year and currently enters his fifth year at the helm in 2025.
Johnson's leadership raised the bar for Highlander Baseball in a number of respects in 2024. Newcomers Bubba Rocha and Cole Koniarsky earn All-Big West accolades after UCR jumped out to its best start since 2020 at 6-6 and entered Big West play at or above .500 for the first time since 2018. Johnson also guided UC Riverside to both the program's first series win over Long Beach State and first five-game win streak since 2010.
Johnson guided Nathan Webb (Second Team) and Ely Stuart (Honorable Mention) to All-Big West recognition in 2021. Overall, Johnson had produced 29 All-Big West selections in his time in the Inland Empire, including two-time First Team selection and 2019 ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-West Region nod Connor Cannon.
Also with Johnson in the dugout, Webb and Cole Percival were named 2018 Freshman All-Americans by Collegiate Baseball.
Johnson has had a hand in a seven-year streak with at least one Highlander selected in the MLB Draft, including Andre Granillo, who was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021. Johnson has presided over the college development of 17 eventual draft picks, including Mark Contreras (2017, 9th round, Minnesota), who made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Twins.
Prior to his stint at Saint Katherine's, Johnson spent two seasons as the associate head coach at Cal Tech, where he helped the Beavers to the program's first win in ten years.
Johnson began his coaching career at Valley View High School where he helped guide the Eagles to two CIF Playoff appearances.
A graduate of Diamond Bar High School, Johnson played at Mt. SAC for legendary coach Art Mazmanian. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays and played a summer as a free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers in extended spring training.
Johnson lives in Moreno Valley with his wife, Dana, and their daughter, Hope.
