Alvis Johnson with his son Derrick, a former UK player, at a Kentucky game. Johnson passed at age 76 but had a huge influence on a lot of athletes, including former UK receiver Craig Yeast.
Long-time Harrodsburg High School football coach Alvis Johnson recently passed away at age 76 after a distinguished career as a coach, teacher and administrator.
Johnson sent several players to play at UK, including his sons Dennis and Derrick Johnson along with Craig Yeast. He also had five players go on to NFL careers.
“Coach is always in our prayers. He lived a phenomenal life and affected so many lives with his discipline, tough love or just straight love,” said Yeast, UK’s second all-time leading receiver. “Coach Johnson was our high school history teacher, our head football coach, our athletics director, our head track coach.
“But the more important aspect that affected all of us was his faith in God. He was a deacon in the church and remains a deacon at Centennial Baptist Church.”
Yeast, one of the former players who was a pallbearer at Johnson’s funeral, is now the head football coach at Mercer County and his Titans play their game at Alvis Johnson Field, the same field Yeast played on when he played for Johnson.
“There will never be another man like Alvis Jonson. We can only strive to be as close to the type of man as he is,” Yeast said. “I love that man. I love Mrs. (Rosetta) Johnson.. There was a time in my life if not for them I do not know if I would have made it to college and be where I am today.
“Coach Johnson is a man of faith and then a coach. He is a great individual, a man who loves God. We are all part of his family. He loves us all unconditionally and that will never change.”
