Academy Notebook: Dash Johnson named PCA’s 2024 Regional Coach of the Year; Rangers Coaches’ Clinic returns Jan. 28?

Dash Johnson recognized as Positive Coaching Alliance Regional Coach of the Year

The Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) last week named Dash Johnson, Texas Rangers Youth Academy manager of baseball and softball operations, as a 2024 Regional Winner for its Coach of the Year Award.

Founded in 1998, the not-for-profit Positive Coaching Alliance strives to form a positive youth sports experience between coaches and athletes across the United States regardless of social or economic circumstances. As part of its work, the PCA annually recognizes coaches who go above and beyond for their athletes through its regional and national awards program.

Johnson, now in his sixth year with the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, initially as a part-time coach before transitioning to his full-time role in early 2022, was selected from nearly 500 nominees as Texas’ Regional Winner in Baseball and Softball.

Surprised by the news of his nomination as submitted by Juan Leonel Gárciga, senior director of the Youth Academy and baseball development, Johnson was honored to be named one of the 36 Regional Winners from around the country.

“It always feels good for an outside organization to recognize your hard work and dedication,” said Johnson. “I work so hard for these kids and the Youth Academy, not for recognition or awards, but because it’s what I love to do.

“Juan [Gárciga] informed me that he reached out to parents of kids I have coached for letters of recommendation and to hear they went out of their way to submit those on my behalf is so humbling— it brings me immense joy and gives me more clarification that my work isn’t unnoticed.”

Since joining the team full-time, Johnson has quickly made an impact by creating new avenues to develop athletes at every stage. In addition to the countless hours put into one-on-one coaching, some of his largest contributions include implementing a yearly 12U wood bat tournament, organizing college recruiting info sessions and bolstering existing Academy programming with supplemental strength, speed and agility training.

“Dash cares deeply about the success of our athletes,” said Gárciga. “He matches the dedication and energy of players who strive to be great, consistently making time to work with them beyond our scheduled programs. For many of these young men and women, Dash has become a mentor and role model...He continues to set a high bar for all our Youth Academy coaches and brings a passion and energy that is unmatched in the youth baseball space.”

While pushing toward his ever-developing professional and personal goals, Johnson often remembers the inspirational words of the late business mogul Jack Welch, who said, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”

"I am a firm believer that growth is a continuous process and never-ending, and as a coach, I never want to become complacent or stop learning,” said Johnson.

“The role a coach can have in a player’s life, and a coach’s ability to save and keep kids on the correct path, that’s what I want to do through baseball,” added Johnson. “Winning a championship will be a great feeling, but seeing my athletes trust me and use me to guide them in a positive direction is something I take pride in. I am here to impact their lives and I will go out of my way to make sure they have a positive role model in me if they don’t have one elsewhere.”

Johnson’s dedication and passion for developing young baseball and softball players on and off the field perfectly embodies the PCA’s mission to create positive experiences through sports.

In the coming weeks, the PCA selection committee will review its Regional Winners to identify 10 National Winners and one Coach of the Year who will be awarded $5,000 for their school or program.

Registration open for 2024 Texas Rangers Coaches' Clinic – Sunday, Jan. 28

The World Series Champion Texas Rangers coaching staff will host its annual clinic for DFW-area baseball and softball coaches at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy on Sunday, Jan. 28. Registration for the free two-plus-hour clinic is open now at rangers.com/academy.

Participating in the 2024 Coaches’ Clinic will be Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who will offer opening remarks, third base coach Tony Beasley, pitching coach Mike Maddux, director of strength and conditioning Logan Frandsen and assistant hitting coach Seth Connor.

Taking place from 9:45 a.m. to noon, the clinic is open to baseball and softball coaches of all ages and experience levels looking to gain knowledge from a World Series-winning Major League coaching staff.

Areas of focus will include fielding led by the Rangers’ longest-tenured member of the staff, Beasley, pitching lessons led by Maddux, former big league pitcher turned long-time coach, strength and conditioning training led by the newly promoted Frandsen and hitting led by Connor, coming off his second season with the Rangers in which the team led the American League in runs, hits, walks and extra-base hits.

Registration for the Texas Rangers Coaches’ Clinic will remain open on the events page at rangers.com/academy through Sunday, Jan. 28, while spots remain. Advanced registration is required to participate.