Dean Johnson, who grew up in Belgrade Lakes and graduated from Messalonskee High School and the University of New England, was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Caldwell University in Caldwell, New Jersey, on April 26. His family attended the induction.

Dean Johnson Photo courtesy of Caldwell University

Johnson, the Cougar’s Softball Head Coach, has developed the university’s softball program into one of the top programs in the region and in the nation. He had guided the Cougars to a 796-358-3 record in 24 seasons. Johnson has been selected as the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year nine times during his two decades at the helm of the Cougars.

Since transitioning to the NCAA in the 2003 season, Johnson has guided Caldwell to 16 seasons with 30-plus wins, including six 40-plus win seasons. The Cougars have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 14 times during Johnson’s era and they won the NCAA Division II Northeast Region in 2004. Through 25 seasons Johnson has compiled a record of more than 800 wins to rank in the top 20 among all active NCAA Division II softball coaches, according to a release from the Caldwell University Athletics Department.

In addition to his duties as softball coach, Johnson serves as Caldwell’s associate athletic director. For his contributions to the university and its athletic department, Johnson received the prestigious Caldwell Cup from former president Sister Patrice Werner in May 2008.

He also is a member of the NFCA head Coaches and NCAA Division II Head Coach Connection committees. He previously served on the NFCA Top-25 committee and is the chairman of the NCAA Division II East Regional Advisory Committee.

Johnson was a standout point guard at the University of New England in Biddeford.

He also played major modified fast-pitch softball, and in 1990 his team placed third nationally.