Paige Johnson Returns for 8th Year as an Assistant on the Women's Soccer Coaching Staff

Paige Johnson Coaching Announcement Graphic

Paige Johnson Returns for 8th Year as an Assistant on the Women's Soccer Coaching Staff

1/20/2025 1:26:00 PM | Women's Soccer

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Paige Johnson, a member of the Cal Poly women’s soccer staff for a total of seven seasons across two separate stints, will serve as an assistant coach on Bernardo Silva’s inaugural staff, the first-year head coach announced Monday.

Johnson has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach for the Mustangs, playing an integral role in a pair of historic seasons for the team, including a Big West regular season title in 2022.

She brings a great balance of competitiveness and connection to all that she does.

Bernardo Silva, Cal Poly Women's Soccer Head Coach

“I’m extremely proud to welcome Paige Johnson to the staff,” said Silva, named the program’s second head coach on Dec. 21. “Paige and I have stayed connected over the years thanks to our mutual enthusiasm for the game as well as our genuine care for the success of each student-athlete associated with the program. She is an incredible coach with concrete core values that closely align with mine, and she brings a great balance of competitiveness and connection to all that she does. She will surely add incredible stability to our staff and will enhance everyone's experience through her commitment to the new vision we have for the program."

Prior to rejoining the women’s soccer staff in 2022, Johnson previously served as a volunteer assistant for the Mustangs from 2017-20 during her first coaching stint with the program.

“I’m thrilled to continue my coaching career with Cal Poly women's soccer under Coach Silva's leadership,” Johnson said. “He has a clear vision for this program and has handpicked an experienced staff to help elevate the student athletes on this team.”

The 2025 season will mark Johnson’s eighth total year with the program, and she is extremely thankful for all the remarkable opportunities legendary head coach Alex Crozier has given her over the years.

“Cal Poly and the women's soccer program hold a special place in my heart,” Johnson said. “I have so many fond memories from the past seven years because coach Crozier created an environment that was competitive and joyful. I’m grateful for his mentorship in my life and I wouldn't be where I am today without his wisdom and patience. I hope to honor his legacy with my continued service to this program and the student athletes.”

Last Tuesday, Silva announced that Scott Williams would be returning to the coaching staff as well to serve as the program’s associate head coach. Johnson has worked alongside Williams during her entire tenure on the Cal Poly women’s soccer coaching staff.

I have so many fond memories from the past seven years because coach Crozier created an environment that was competitive and joyful. I’m grateful for his mentorship in my life and I wouldn't be where I am today without his wisdom and patience. I hope to honor his legacy with my continued service to this program.

Paige Johnson, Cal Poly Women's Soccer Assistant Coach

When Johnson returned to the program in 2022, Cal Poly experienced one of its most successful seasons in recent memory. With Johnson’s assistance, the Mustangs secured their first outright Big West regular season championship in nine years and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. Defensively, the Mustangs silenced opponents during the 2022 season, posting the program’s most shutouts (10) in a season in 13 years and establishing a new program record for clean sheets in Big West regular season play (7). Six players garnered All-Big West honors, including three that received First Team recognition — midfielder Camille Lafaix, defender Emma Brown and goalkeeper Mackenzie Samuel. In addition, three Mustangs earned United Soccer Coaches All-West Region praise, marking just the fourth time in program history Cal Poly had at least three players earn All-West Region honors during a season.

Cal Poly built off that historic campaign in 2023. With Johnson’s help, the Mustangs established a new program record for players to record a point in a season (21), matched a 27-year-old program record for goal scorers in a season (15) and advanced to their ninth Big West Championship match, tied for the most all-time in conference history. The team posted its most All-Big West honorees in a season since 2014 with seven and Brown became the fifth Mustang in program history and first in 14 years to be crowned Big West Defensive Player of the Year.

Across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the Mustangs posted a combined record of 12-4-4 in Big West regular season play under Johnson’s guidance. This past season, Cal Poly converted 100% of the penalty kicks they attempted — tied for the best conversion percentage in the nation — and had an offensive outburst in a 5-1 Senior Day victory over Nevada, scoring five goals in a half for the first time in 24 years.

Coach Silva has a contagious, passionate energy ... I know I will grow personally and professionally working alongside him, and I can't wait to see how his fresh ideas invigorate our team and propel us to achieve great things.

Paige Johnson, Cal Poly Women's Soccer Assistant Coach

During her time on the Cal Poly coaching staff, Johnson has overseen 26 All-Big West honorees, 11 Big West All-Freshman selections and 12 All-West Region selections. Additionally, off the pitch, Johnson has seen the Mustangs receive 77 Big West All-Academic Team selections during her tenure.

The native of nearby Arroyo Grande is looking forward to this new challenge and is excited about the trajectory of the program under Silva’s leadership.

“Coach Silva has a contagious, passionate energy that drives him to achieve excellence in everything he pursues,” Johnson said. “He genuinely cares about people and has experienced success at the Division I level. I know I will grow personally and professionally working alongside him, and I can't wait to see how his fresh ideas invigorate our team and propel us to achieve great things.”

Prior to coming back to Cal Poly in 2022, Johnson spent the 2021 season as an assistant at Division II Cal State Monterey Bay, helping the Otters finish with a 7-7-5 record.

Johnson, who also currently coaches for Central Coast United SC in San Luis Obispo, played midfielder and defender at Butler University from 2012-15, helping the Bulldogs reach the 2015 Big East Tournament championship as a senior and finish with a 16-7-1 overall record. A graduate of Arroyo Grande High, Johnson was an all-league honoree her senior season after playing seven years with the Central Coast Condors club program. In 2010, she co-captained the Condors to a state championship.

“Cal Poly women's soccer experienced a lot of winning under coach Crozier the past 33 years,” Johnson said. “We have big shoes to fill, but I know under Coach Silva's leadership we will be equipped to continue that success. He brings a gritty mentality and tactical nuances that will set us apart from our opponents. I see a lot of winning in our future!”