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Former Oregon Football Director Donald Johnson Jr. Dies at 49

Remembering the life of an influential force in Oregon high school athletics and Oregon Ducks Football.
Ally Osborne|
Donald Johnson Jr.
Donald Johnson Jr. | Darrin Chiaverini Twitter/X

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Early this morning, the son of former Oregon Ducks Recruiting Coordinator Donald Johnson Jr, Keenan Speer-Johnson, took to social media to confirm the passing of his father.

“I’m at a complete loss for words,” Speer-Johnson said. “You overcame so much, this still doesn’t even feel real to me right now I’m heartbroken. Rest in paradise dad I love you.”

Johnson Jr. worked for Oregon from 2020 till 2022. Prior to his career with the Ducks, Johnson was a notable high school football coach around the state of Oregon. Johnson suffered a medical emergency in 2022 that pulled him back from his Duck duties. There are no confirmed details of his cause of death.

Hired by former Oregon Football coach Mario Cristobal, Johnson Jr. earned a number ten ranking for best recruiters in the PAC-12. Johnson used his Oregon sports connections to find in-state recruits for the Ducks, and also nailed down five four-star recruits during his time in Eugene. This includes spear-heading the recruitment of linebacker Jeffrey Bassa.

During his time as a high school coach, Johnson Jr. worked for Milwauke, Evergreen, Jefferson, and McDaniel (Madison at the time) high schools.

“Don Johnson Jr. had a personality that you felt - in a one on one conversation, in a crowded room, in a stadium. His immense stature was somehow dwarfed by that presence, one that demanded - and so often commanded - space. Don fought for his athletes relentlessly and understood layers to things that I never considered,” said recruiting specialist for SBLiveSports and ESPN’s Andrew Nemec.

“Coach Johnson was one of the realest dudes in the game and helped countless kids reach new heights both on and off the field,” said Oregon State University Running Back Coach Thomas Ford Jr.

“God called you back home. Rest Easy OG,” said Oregon Football Director of Player Academics Eden Mahina.

“Our deepest condolences. Rest easy Uso,” said former Oregon Football Defensive Line Coach Joe Salave’a, who worked with Johnson Jr.

“R.I.P. Coach Don Johnson. Will miss you brother,” said former Oregon Football Head Coach Mario Cristobal.

Many others shared their respects for Johnson Jr. on social media remembering a man who made an impact on state athletics at large, gone at 49-years-old.

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A born and raised Oregonian, Ally Osborne has a passion for sporting events across her home state. She began writing for Oregon Ducks on SI in 2021. Currently a morning talk show host and sports reporter for KOIN 6 and Portland's CW in Portland, Oregon, Ally is engrained in her community. Finding and sharing stories that highlight the unique culture and connectivity sports creates is a part of her DNA. She frequently contributes sports content to KOIN's broadcast and streaming platforms while hosting talk show "Everyday Northwest" and video podcast "Tower Talk Live" every weekday. With Portland being her third-worked television market (second in Oregon), Osborne brings hard-news and feature-reporting experience to compliment her expertise for sports storytelling. Her journalistic endeavors and art creations (many of which are inspired by the Oregon Ducks) can be found on her social media pages. Ally graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. 

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