Ron Johnson

Ronald Lee Johnson (August 6, 1931 – August 7, 2009) was an American competitive swimmer for the University of Iowa, and a swimming coach best known for coaching Arizona State University from 1976 to 1993. He was Head Coach of the Mexican National Team in the 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich Olympics.

Johnson was born August 6, 1931, in Hollywood, California to Roy and Alys Johnson. During his High School years, he worked as a lifeguard at St. Louis's Fair Grounds Park, and on occasion gave swimming demonstrations and red cross swim training. Participating in marathon swimming events as well as meets, in July, 1949, he competed a 22-mile swim in the Mississippi River from Alton Dam to Eads Bridge in 5 Hours and 20 minutes. A powerful high school swimming program, Beaumont won the Missouri State Championship in both 1946 and 1949.

University of Iowa Johnson attended the University of Iowa from 1949 to 1953 where he swam for Hall of Fame Head Coach David Armbruster and Assistant Coach James "Doc" Counsilman. While swimming for Iowa in December, 1952, Johnson attempted to break the 100-yard breaststroke record using the new legal dolphin kick and swam a 58.6, finishing significantly under the former 1951 record of 1:00.5 by Yale's Stanton Smith. Around 1934, Iowa's Coach Armbruster was the first coach to experiment with the dolphin kick as part of the breaststroke, and added an over the water recovery for arms as part of the front pull.

From 1953 to 1956, Johnson served with the United States Navy. At the 1992 Olympic games, he coached the Brazilian National team.

Johnson founded the Mesa Aquatics Club and the Sun Devils Masters Club in Tempe, which produced over seventy national master's champions. Beginning to compete in the United States Masters swimming program in 1973, Johnson held world records in each of the four competitive strokes. In 1978-9, he was named coach of the year with Mona Plummer by the National Women's Swimming Association. Johnson was the Coach of the Year for the Pac-10 in 1983.

Having survived several heart attacks during his career, he died Friday night, August 7, 2009, in Scottsdale, Arizona. On Saturday, August 15, a morning memorial service was held at the ASU Memorial Union's Ventana Room.