Lebanon
Top-ranked Lebanon fell to No. 6 Goffstown, 4-2, on penalty kicks following a scoreless draw on Nov. 5 in the NHIAA Division II final.
“Honestly, I know it sounds kind of cliche, but when coaches get this honor, it’s really a testament to their programs,” Johnstone said. “That’s absolutely the case with me. Our guys, it’s been 13 years in a row that we’ve had a winning record. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’m really fortunate. We’ve had some good teams. This year was a prime example.
“When you get an honor like that, obviously, you’re very flattered,” he added. “The fact that it came from my coaching peers means the most. There are a lot of great coaches out there, a lot of names they could have chosen.”
Johnstone, who played soccer at Middlebury College, has accumulated 251 wins, 129 losses and 36 ties, since his first season with the Raiders in 1992, making him the 13th-winningest coach in state history and the 10th-winningest active coach.
But wins don’t matter as much to Johnstone, who continues to find new situations and challenges to fuel his competitive spirit.
“My way isn’t the only way,” Johnstone said. “There are so many great coaches, all with different visions. That’s something too, I need to make sure that I’m totally aware of everything. … It’s a balance. You need to be constantly learning and tweaking.
“I can’t wait until next year,” he added. “The week after soccer season ends you’re already thinking about next year. Every year we’ve got a crack at it.”
Hanover High boys soccer coach Rob Grabill knows Johnstone well. The two faced each other twice in the 2006 final, a Hanover win. Since Hanover’s move to D-I in 2012, the two coaches have gotten together for preseason scrimmages, postseason tune-ups and summer workouts that has kept both squads in shape and kept the neighboring-town rivalry alive.
“Johnstone has an amazing body of work,” Grabill said. “He’s incredibly grounded in the game. … He makes a concerted effort to stay current. He’s able to teach good athletes how to be good soccer players. His reputation is that he can develop kids. He get’s good kids, good athletes, and he makes the most of them.”
The Raiders finished 17-1-1 this season.
Johnstone also was named head coach of the Twin State Lions Cup team, which will bring together the best boys soccer athletes in New Hampshire to play on July 15, 2017 in Henniker, N.H.
He also received heavy consideration for D-II coach of the year.
“One thing Rob does well is that he’s more concerned about players as people,” Grabill said. “Rob’s a teacher. He will never take any short cuts. He does what’s best for the team and he’ll call them on it. There’s no pampering to superstars. He treats everyone fairly and demands accountability. He’s a very fair coach.
“I always like coaching with and against him,” he added. “He’s competitive, intense, but he never puts the result ahead of the process. You’re always going to walk away from it, win or lose, saying, ‘Wow.’ ”
Josh Weinreb can be reached at jweinreb@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.