Johnson High School head boys basketball coach Chris Guthrie is retiring. The teacher and coach announced his intention to step down in a press release Friday from Hall County athletics director Stan Lewis. Guthrie spent the last three years of his 35-year career at Johnson High.
“We are indebted and grateful for all the work and sacrifice Coach Guthrie has made for Johnson in the past three years,” said Wagner. He has been a great leader of our Boys Basketball program, an assistant coach for football, been the announcer at numerous events and athletic contests, and a great teacher in the classroom. He exemplifies our Knights Creed and helped young people see their potential and believe in themselves. He is a true man of character and integrity who did everything the right way all the time. We wish him and his family the best and thank them for their time.”
JHS Principal Jonathan Edwards credits Guthrie with stabilizing the boys basketball program at the school.
“He provided much-needed continuity and growth. He made a tremendous impact in the lives of his players, the lives of his students, and in the JHS community as a whole. We are so grateful,” Edwards said.
Guthrie thanked Edwards and Wagner for their support and said he is grateful for the opportunity they gave him. He said he has “been blessed” to work at Johnson High School for the past three years.
“Our students, teachers and administration are the best around. Our players have worked hard and given of themselves in the pursuit of team unity and success,” he said.
“I have been touched by so many lives over these 35 years,” Guthrie continued. “There is nothing better than walking down the cereal aisle at Kroger and having a former student or player walk up and say, “Coach Guthrie! Do you remember me?”
Now that he’s retiring, Guthrie said he will be spending his time at the church he attends, Riverbend Church, on the north side of Gainesville.
