GREENSBORO, N.C. — When you go to a Boy's Basketball game at Greensboro Day School (GDS), the players come and go. However, one thing has remained the same since 1977.
"You know, you hope you're able to hang around a while and after my first two years I was 5 and 11 and then 11 and 16 my first two years. I think that taught me a lot of things", said GDS Boy's Basketball coach Freddy Johnson.
One of the things that Johnson learned rather quickly, was his undeniable love of coaching the game of basketball.
"It keeps me young and active, and I can't tell you how much enjoy being in the gym with the guys", Johnson went on to say.
And the kids, seem to enjoy their time with Coach almost as much as Coach Johnson enjoys coaching his boys.
"It's awesome, just coming here and knowing the legendary status that he has. You know coming into it, you'll be playing for a great coach like him. He's proven it through everything, not just coaching, but the relationship he has with players like me. It just shows how much he cares", Junior Forward, Addison Newkirk said.
The legend of Freddy Johnson is known around the country. Even in gyms Johnson has never personally stepped foot in. However, recently, this year's team helped add another notch to jOhsnons's highly decorated belt. Picking up win number 1,186, Johnson now is 6th all-time in wins in high school basketball history.
"I think it's even more special for me, to be able to coach so many fine outstanding young men in my career. How lucky I am to be at GDS. The record isn't the reason I coach. It's the kids. Loving these kids is the most special thing to me", Johnson went on to say.
young might ask yourself, with all the accolades, wins, state titles, and kids he's helped send off to college. After 47 years, Johnson would be ready to retire. Well, you can ask yourself, but I don't think you should ask Coach Johnson, because his answer is simple.
"Retirement is something I don't think about because that's something I do not want to do. I don't think my wonderful wife wants me at home all day every day, so she likes me doing this. I'm happy doing this, I don't see retirement in my future", Johnson says.