Paul Johnson graduated from Kingsville High School and Ohio University before receiving his Masters from Pittsburgh University. Coach Johnson devoted his entire coaching career at Lowellville High School during which he accumulated 492 wins and 176 losses which included numerous tournament titles and two state qualifiers.

Paul is a member of the Lowellville High School and Youngstown Curbstone Coaches Association Hall of Fames. He served as President of the Mahoning Valley Coaches Association. The Lowellville Gym is now named in his honor. In addition to basketball, Paul coached football, track and girls basketball.

His wife, Helen, continues to reside in Lowellville. The Johnsons have two sons, Tom and "Duke" and one daughter, Jean.