UIC head gymnastics coach 'CJ' Johnson retires

"CJ" Johnson, the head coach of the UIC men's gymnastics team since 1974, announced his retirement effective Aug. 31.

"His contributions and accomplishments on regional, national and international levels are extensive, and he created a legacy of excellence for our program," said UIC director of athletics Jim Schmidt. "We wish "CJ," his wife Jean and his entire family all the best as he enters a new chapter in his life."

"As I head into retirement, I am grateful for the parents of all the athletes I coached for trusting me with their sons, and of course I am grateful for those young student-athletes who came to UIC and represented this program and this university," Johnson said.

"Men's gymnastics was the first Division I program at UIC, and in 1980, our first year as a Division I program, we finished 10th in the country," said Johnson. "It is fitting that UIC men's gymnastics finished 10th in the country in 2010, my final year.

Johnson began his coaching career at UIC in 1974-75 and eventually led the program to back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championships in 1978 and 1979. UIC moved to Division I status under Johnson's watch in 1980, and the team posted immediate success by garnering a No. 10 national ranking. The Flames advanced to NCAA postseason competition on 10 occasions since that season, including back-to-back berths in 2009 and 2010.

The Flames won three National Independent titles and three Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) championships, including ECAC crowns in each of the last two seasons. This past season the Flames finished the year 11th nationally.

Johnson coached his athletes to a total of 66 All-America honors, including seven Division I All-Americans.