Katy Mourns the Loss of Legendary Katy Football Coach Mike Johnston
- ncookclark
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
January 11, 2026
By Natalie Cook Clark
Legendary Katy High School Football coach and local icon Mike Johnston passed away Saturday. He is widely credited with building the football dynasty that Katy High School is renowned for.
The City of Katy mourns the loss of former Katy football coach Mike Johnston. Johnston passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026. A visitation and service is set for later this week.
“Coach Johnston was the spark that turned Katy football into a standard bearer of high school sports,” says Katy Tiger fan and City of Katy Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris. “He is responsible for creating the pride and fan base of the Katy Tigers.”
Coach Johnston led the Tigers football program for 22 years, from 1982-2003. Under his direction the Katy Tigers won three state championships and made the Katy Tigers program synonymous with Texas high school football.
Johnston still kept tabs on the Tigers over the years, visiting with Coach Joseph and attending the games.
In 2017 Katy ISD named the new field at Legacy Stadium, Mike Johnston Field. Known for his humility, Johnston considered the name selection an honor and an unexpected blessing.
Johnston was born in Huntsville and quickly became a Houston native who grew up in Galena Park. During his time in coaching the Tigers, he led them to 200 victories, 13 district titles, five state title game appearances (1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003) and three state championships (1997, 2000, 2003.)
His love for football began early on as he played on his high school team as they went to the 1964 state championship. He attended Stephen F. Austin where he continued to play football as a linebacker and center for the Lumberjacks. There, he would be coached by future Katy ISD administrators Jack Rhoads and Gordon Brown.
According to Katy ISD, Johnston’s coaching career began at Hull-Daisetta High School. He then worked for Nacogdoches, Beaumont Forest Park and Abilene High Schools before landing in Katy. In 1980 he took the role of assistant coach at Katy High School and then was named head football coach two years later.
There wasn’t much winning happening when he took the head coaching position at Katy High School. Many were reluctant to show off their school colors. However, Coach Johnston made it his business to be engaged in the lives of his players and his students with whom he came in contact. He made it his goal for every student, and particularly the football players, to become ambassadors for their school.
His character and commitment to excellence created an atmosphere of school pride that carried over on to other extra-curricular activities. A breakthrough season finally came in 1986 when the Katy High School Tigers made the playoffs for the first time in 23 years.
He retired in 2003 when current Coach Gary Joseph took over the program.
His accolades extended beyond the state championships and the field. Johnston was the Coach of the Year for the State of Texas, the Houston Touchdown Club, the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Post and seven times for the district.
He gave his time to serve as the Director and President of the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA). In addition, he was bestowed one of the highest honors by the THSCA and was placed in the THSCA Balfour Hall of Honor. One of his most rewarding accomplishments was when the 2010 Texas Football Magazine Winter Edition hit the newsstands. They listed the Top 50 Coaches in Texas for the First Fifty Years. The list included professional and college coaches, such as Tom Landry and Darrell Royal. Johnston was recognized as #14 on the list.
Service Information
The Katy community can pay respects to the legendary coach this week. On Thursday, January 15, 2026, there will be a visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schmidt Funeral Home (1344 W. Grand Parkway.)
On Friday, January 16, 2026, there will be a service at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Katy (600 Pin Oak Road.)
#CentralGreenPark #PrimroseSchools
