New Los Lunas football coach embraces high expectations
Of all the new head football coaches in New Mexico’s high school ranks, no one is going to be under closer scrutiny this year than Stephen Johnston. Which, for a former Artesia Bulldog player and coach, is routine. Johnston, 39, changed jobs in the offseason, leaving Manzano for Los Lunas. And this is the highest profile new hire among the state’s coaching ranks for the 2026 season. His two ...
Stephen Johnston, the new head coach of Los Lunas football, is prepared to face high expectations that have been set by the community. Johnston, 39, recently left Manzano to take up the position in Los Lunas. He acknowledges that high expectations have been expressed by many around the town. Johnston's predecessors, Jeremy Maupin and Greg Henington, had taken the team to three state championship games in the last five years.
Henington, however, was let go after last season as Los Lunas fell in the state quarterfinals. Johnston, a former Artesia Bulldog player and coach, is now facing a challenging situation in Los Lunas. He acknowledges that expectations were low at Manzano during his early tenure, but he appreciates the high expectations in Los Lunas.
The Tigers have a strong roster with about 125 players participating in football. The team will be facing strong rivals such as Artesia and Roswell, who have a history of competing fiercely in 5A. Johnston believes that Los Lunas is capable of challenging and beating any team in the class.
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