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Johnson Retiring as Head Softball Coach, Ford Promoted

For the first time in a generation there is a change at the head of the Ventura College softball program. Longtime head coach Susan Johnson takes a step back in 2017, retiring from her head coaching duties to serve as an assistant coach. Johnson is retiring as the athletic department's longest-serving head coach. She will be succeeded by longtime assistant coach Sonia (Ortiz) Ford.

Longtime VC softball coach Susan Johnson (left) is retiring as head coach. VC alumna Sonia (Ortiz) Ford (center) will assume the head coach duties while another VC graduate, Tisha Duran (right) will serve as the Pirates' assistant coach.
Longtime VC softball coach Susan Johnson (left) is retiring as head coach. VC alumna Sonia (Ortiz) Ford (center) will assume the head coach duties while another VC graduate, Tisha Duran (right) will serve as the Pirates' assistant coach.
January 9, 2017

For the first time in a generation there is a change at the head of the Ventura College softball program. Longtime head coach Susan Johnson takes a step back in 2017, retiring from her head coaching duties to serve as an assistant coach.  Johnson is retiring as the athletic department's longest-serving head coach.  In addition to her duties with the softball team, coach Johnson will remain on staff at the Pirates' Cove student resource center.

Johnson began her coaching career at VC in 1988, amassing a 640-490 record leading the Pirates, good for a .566 winning percentage.  In Western State Conference play, the Pirates were even better, posting a record of 346-172 (.668).  Ventura won eight conference championships under coach Johnson and went to the CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs at least 13 seasons.  The 2011 Pirates earned the CCCAA State Scholar Team Award.  Johnson was named the WSC Coach of the Year five times.

Under Johnson's direction, numerous sutdent athletes earned All-WSC and All-State honors.  Two of her former players, Sonia (Ortiz) Ford and Tisha Duran, have been inducted into the Ventura College Athletic Hall of Fame, and they remain on the coaching staff to continue Johnson's legacy.

Ford assumes the head coaching duties after 12 years on the coaching staff as an assistant.

The Camarillo native was an All-WSC standout for the Pirates and an NAIA All-American at Oklahoma City University. She was inducted into the Ventura College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
 
Since joining coach Susan Johnson's coaching staff, the Pirates have posted a record of 283-222, a .560 winning percentage, and a 164-76 mark (.683) in Western State Conference play.  VC has won four conference titles during that time and advanced to the CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs eight times.
 
Joining Ford on the bench is another VC Hall of Fame inductee, Tisha Duran. She is in her third season of her second go around on the Pirate bench, having also served as an assistant in 2010 and 2011.  Duran spent four years as the head softball coach at Buena High School 2012-2016.