CALDWELL, N.J. -- Dean Johnson, who has accumulated more than 900 career victories as Caldwell University softball head coach, resigned from that position today after 29 years at the Cougars helm. He will remain as head men's basketball coach and associate director of athletics at the University.

A search for Caldwell's head softball coach position will commence immediately.

"For nearly three decades I have had the privilege of coaching so many outstanding young women who have made this program so successful," said Johnson. "It was by no means an easy decision, but I feel that this is the right time to allow someone else to take the reins. I look forward to watching the team continue to reach great heights moving forward."

"Dean Johnson's legacy at Caldwell is far reaching throughout the softball world and the collegiate athletics community," said Mark A. Corino, Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics. "His commitment to Caldwell softball student-athletes and to the University at large has made a huge difference in hundreds of young women in his program. We are pleased that his efforts in men's basketball and to the entirety of the Athletics program continues in his roles as men's basketball coach and associate athletics director."

Johnson won his 900th career contest on March 29 in Caldwell's 18-0 win over Dominican University. He has compiled a record of 924-432-4 (.681) to rank in the top-15 among all active NCAA Division II softball coaches. Among the student-athletes he coached was his daughter Katelyn, who competed for the Cougars in 2017 and 2018 after transferring from Central Connecticut State University. For his outstanding success on the diamond, Johnson was inducted in the Caldwell Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. 

In 2004, the first for Caldwell as a full Division II member, Johnson's team advanced to the Women's College World Series, finishing fifth, the highest ranking of any athletic team at the school, finishing 45-7 overall.

In addition to continuing the success of the softball program, Johnson took over the men's basketball head coaching responsibilities in 2022-23, guiding the Cougars to a 22-10 overall record and NCAA East Regional second round appearance, in the process earning CACC and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Coach of the Year honors.

This past season, Johnson led the softball Cougars back to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the 16th time in 19 years of NCAA Division II competition during his tenure. Caldwell won 30+ for the 20th time during his career, finishing the season with a 35-19 overall record. The Cougars secured the #5 seed in the NCAA D2 East Region 1. The 2023 squad earned six CACC All-Conference honorees, three all-region selections and one Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner. 

What is almost as remarkable as his accomplishments is how Johnson became the head softball coach at Caldwell University in 1995. Just before the 1995 spring season, the softball coach at the time left in the middle of a practice and never returned. Corino asked Johnson if he would fill in as softball coach. Johnson agreed, finished the practice session that day and stayed on as coach through the season and for the next 29 seasons.
 
For his contributions to the University and the athletic department, Johnson received the prestigious Caldwell Cup from former president Sister Patrice Werner in May of 2008. He also is a member of the NCAA DII Head Coach Connection Committee. He has previously served on various regional and national committees including serving as a member of the NFCA Head Coaches Committee, the NFCA Top-25 committee, the NCAA Division II East Regional Advisory Committee, chair of the NCAA Division II National Softball Committee and the CACC Championships Committee.
 
A native of Belgrade Lakes, Maine, Johnson was a standout point guard at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. He also played major modified fast-pitch softball, and in 1990 his team placed third nationally. Johnson graduated from the University of New England in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education. He earned a Master's degree from Caldwell University in 1997.