Torino Johnson Earns City Coach of the Year Honors

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor 

Sure he was thrilled when he found out he’d been chosen City Section Coach of the Year, but if you were to ask Palisades High girls basketball coach Torino Johnson what he’s most proud of about the 2014-15 season he’ll tell you it was earning the award no committee can vote on.

“This is a tremendous honor but it can’t compare to winning the championship because that’s the one you can’t give us – we have t o get that on the court.”

No coach is more dedicated to his craft than Johnson, who piloted the Dolphins to the City’s first-ever Open Division title – his third section crown in five years.

“We accomplished a goal and now it’s time to set more goals,” he said. “When I took this job I wanted to beat two teams – Fairfax and Narbonne. We went 5-0 against them this year,” said Johnson, who was first named City Coach of the Year in 2012 after leading Palisades to its second straight Division II title. This one, though, came against the highest level of competition.

The Dolphins played one of the toughest schedules in California and when they lost 10 of their first 13 games Johnson had to keep the ship on course, reminding his injury-riddled squad that the season is a marathon, not a sprint.

“To be a champion, you want to play the best while they’re at their best,” Johnson said.

“Awards are much appreciated but their not part of our plan,” added Johnson, who attributes his success to the knowledge he acquired from his mentors – former UCLA coach John  Wooden and ex-USC coach George Raveling.

“Many days I sat with Coach Wooden and the greatest word is balance,” he said. “Losing motivates you but winning is humbling. When you already have humility it’s hard for other people to humble you. George Raveling has been instrumental to my improvement as coach and a man.”

Johnson dedicated the season to two close friends he lost during the season, Pali High wrestling coach Randy Aguirre, who passed away from brain cancer in January, and his college roommate, who died in a car crash.

“This championship is for them and it’s an honor to be able to carry that trophy in their memory,” Johnson said. “My name’s on it, but it’s theirs.”

Days before the All-City announcement, Johnson got a call from U.S. National Team Director  Carol Callan, who told him he’s been selected to coach the U16 team this summer.

“I’m so excited for this opportunity,” Johnson said. “As a kid you dream about the Olympics and you think of the Dream Team but what’s often overlooked is the coaches – Chuck Daly, Lenny Wilkens, P. J. Carlesimo, and Mike Krzyzewski. This is my 11th year coaching and to me coaching for your country is the pinnacle. It doesn’t get any better.” Johnson will attend a week of  tryouts in Colorado in late May and he spent his 33rd birthday on Saturday at a Nike Hoops Summit in Portland.

“I’m looking forward to doing whatever is needed of me,” Johnson said. “There’s a tendency for a coaching staff to “over-coach” and “under-teach” and what’s great about our program is that all of us coaches bring something unique to the table. We want to win City again next year and we’ve got work to do.”