Gary Johnson was a four-year starter in football at defensive end for Willamette from 1973-76. He was named First Team All-America in 1975 and 1976. He earned First Team Little All-Northwest honors in 1974, 1975, and 1976. He put together an illustrious coaching career, including a State Girls' Basketball Championship at Cascade High School in 1984-85. As head football coach at Salem Academy, Johnson led the team to its first state title game in over 20 years in 2016. He was chosen First Team All-NWC in 1974, 1975, and 1976. He won the J.H. Booth Award as a senior at Willamette. He was signed as a free agent by the Seattle Seahawks in 1977. He currently volunteers with his local church and community food bank, helping deliver over 50,000 pounds of food to needy families.