Dalen Johnson has been named head coach of the Emery Lady Spartans softball program, it was announced by Principal Steven Gordon Monday afternoon.

Johnson has served as an assistant coach for the softball team over the past two seasons. The announcement comes following the resignation of former head coach Cody Jensen this past fall.

“I like baseball, but after I got a little softball experience, I was converted,” said Johnson when asked what excites him about taking over the program. “I love the game, its fun, its fast paced and I’ve loved working with these young ladies as well.”

Johnson will be the third head coach in as many seasons for the program. His tenure as an assistant provided him the opportunity to work under two former head coaches in Shaun Bell in 2021 and Jensen in 2022.

Well known in the community, Johnson has worked as a Nurse Practitioner at Emery Medical Center in Castle Dale since 2016. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Johnson graduated from North Sanpete High School in 1998. He continued his education in Price at the College of Eastern Utah, and then attended Utah Valley University in Orem. Johnson received his degree from the University of Utah in 2010.

The Emery softball team has made big strides in the past two years, putting together back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in over a decade. Fresh off a 16-9 campaign in 2022, Johnson will have a returning group with high expectations.

“The recent success is a credit to the girls we’ve had, but also the great coaches who have taught them how to win,” Johnson said. “There is added pressure, but I’m really looking forward to the team we should have this year. They are girls that I have had an opportunity to work with since they were eight, nine and ten years old.”