from:  http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/033009aab.html

Johnson Retires After 17 Seasons at IllinoisMost Successful Coach in Illini History Steps Down at Leader of IlliniWrestling ProgramMark Johnson announced his retirement after 17 years as head coach atIllinois on Monday.

March 30, 2009CHAMPAIGN, Ill. 

After 17 seasons at the helm of Illinois Wrestlingand 19 as a collegiate head coach, Mark Johnson announced hisretirement from coaching Monday. Johnson finishes his career as themost successful wrestling coach in Illinois history and one of thebest nationally."I would like to thank Ron Guenther and the entire athletic departmentfor giving me the great opportunity to fulfill my dream of leading theFighting Illini," Johnson said. "I couldn't have asked for a betterathletic director than Ron. I want to thank him for how he treated myprogram and me over my 17 years here. I really enjoyed therelationships with my athletes and staff, and I think this program isin great shape for the future."

Johnson led the Fighting Illini to an eighth-place finish at the 2009NCAA Championships, which finished on March 21, with Mike Poeta, JimmyKennedy and John Wise bringing Johnson's total of All-Americans atIllinois to 45. He finishes his coaching career with seven individualnational champions, 10 Top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships inthe last 15 years and took a total of 120 wrestlers to 17 NCAAChampionships during his time at Illinois."Mark's decision to resign as head wrestling coach did not necessarilycome as a surprise to me," Guenther said. "Mark has done anexceptional job in leading our wrestling program, however, over thepast few years, he has expressed a desire to explore otheropportunities. I am pleased for Mark that an opportunity came up tohold him in our community and I wish him much success."

Johnson's career is unmatched at Illinois, as he finishes with themost wins, NCAA Champions, All-Americans and NCAA qualifiers of anycoach in Illini history. He was named the National Coach of the Yearin 1995 and 30 of his 45 All-Americans have come in the last 10 years.He led the Orange and Blue to a team title at the 2005 Big TenChampionships, Illinois' first Big Ten crown in 53 years, and a pairof Big Ten dual titles in 2005 and 2006. He also guided the Illini toa No. 1 national ranking in 2004.The Rock Island, Ill., native won his 200th career dual meet earlierthis season at Wisconsin when the Illini took down the Badgers, 24-16,and finished the season with the second-best winning percentage amongactive college wrestling coaches. He also ranked 12th in career winsamong active coaches.

Johnson finishes his career with more than twiceas many wins as any other coach in Illinois history.Illinois' highest finish at the NCAA Championships under Johnson camein 2001, when the Illini placed fifth on the backs of NCAA ChampionsAdam Tirapelle and John Lockhart and All-Americans Matt Lackey and PatQuirk. Johnson-led teams hold the Illinois records for most dual wins,pins, dual winning percentage and points scored at both the NCAA andBig Ten Championships.

Johnson also guided Illinois wrestlers to success off the mat, as fourof his student-athletes earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor and 18 werenamed Academic All-Americans. Illinois also has 77 Academic All-BigTen selections under Johnson.A member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, Johnson was a two-timeAll-American in 1976-77. He was a two-time National Wrestling Championand was a member of the USA Wrestling team. He was an assistant coachfor the 1988 USA Olympic team and was the head coach for the OlympicSports Festival in 1991 and 1996.Johnson and his wife, Linda, reside in Champaign. They have two growndaughters, Tricia and Mackey.

EducationB.S. in education, University of Michigan, 1977

Coaching Experience1992-2009

Head Coach - University of Illinois1990-92

Head Coach - Oregon State University1982-90

Assistant Coach - University of Iowa1978-80

Graduate Assistant - University of Iowa

Record At Illinois (17 seasons): 203-44-3 (.818)Career record (19 seasons): 223-48-5 (.817)

Coaching Honors2005 Big Ten Coach of the Year2002 NWCA All-Star Meet Head Coach2001 Big Ten Coach of the Year2000 Quad City Sports Hall of Fame1999 IWCOA Man of the Year1995 NWCA National Coach of the Year1995 W.I.N. Magazine National Coach of the Year1992 Pac-10 Coach of the Year1987 Illinois Wrestling Hall of Fame1986 NWCA National Assistant Coach of the YearCoaching Accomplishments• Won 2005 Big Ten Championships• Ranked No. 1 in 2004• Won Midlands team title 2003-05, only the third team to win threeconsecutive team titles• Led Illinois to 10 Top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships and 13Top-15 finishes in the last 15 years• Coached seven NCAA Champions• Coached 45 All-Americans• Coached 120 NCAA qualifiers at IllinoisWrestling Experience• Olympic Team, 1980• USA Wrestling Team• National Wrestling Champion (Twice)• Two-time All-American (1976-77)International Coaching Experience• USA National Coaching Staff member• Olympic Sports Festival, head coach (1991 & 1996)• USA Olympic Team, assistant coach (1988)• World Espoir Team, head coach (1987)