R.I.P. Johnny Mathis
- Thread starter L J S A
- Start date
Johnny Mathis was a great coach and an even better human being. Dwight Hardy, who played for Coach Mathis at Kennedy, credits him for his success on the court and in life.
I remember watching Coach Mathis play in the ABA and at Rucker Park in th late 1960's. In 1997, he trusted me with his son JC, who had just finished his freshman year of high school, to play on our 17U AAU team. We traveled all over the country and JC, while being the youngest player on the team, was instrumental in our success. Over the years our relationship strengthened and he would allow more of his players to join our AAU team.
I think the best way to describe Coach Mathis is to say that in spite of all of his accomplishments, he was a humble individual who had a genuine concern for his players.
May he SIP.
I remember watching Coach Mathis play in the ABA and at Rucker Park in th late 1960's. In 1997, he trusted me with his son JC, who had just finished his freshman year of high school, to play on our 17U AAU team. We traveled all over the country and JC, while being the youngest player on the team, was instrumental in our success. Over the years our relationship strengthened and he would allow more of his players to join our AAU team.
I think the best way to describe Coach Mathis is to say that in spite of all of his accomplishments, he was a humble individual who had a genuine concern for his players.
May he SIP.
Last edited:
I did not know the man but there is no greater compliment for a successful person than your opening sentence; well said, condolences to his loved ones, take solace in the loss with the knowledge of a life well lived.
Alumni Hall
Well-known member
Panther I had the privilege of meeting Coach when he would come and watch Willie and Dwight. He used to sit near Lou and Rut at Carnesecca games.
RIP to man, who by all accounts, was a great man. Condolences to his family and friends. 
FYI the other Johnny Mathis, who at first glance I thought this thread was about, seems to be still going strong, and even performing in concert, at 87 years young.
FYI the other Johnny Mathis, who at first glance I thought this thread was about, seems to be still going strong, and even performing in concert, at 87 years young.
John Mathis and I worked together at Bronx Psychiatric Center for 12 years (he was in charge of recreation therapy and I was Director of Staff Training) and we then stayed friends for the years since we retired from NY State Mental Health about 20 years ago. I know both his sons, JC and his younger son Jared who is a Dartmouth grad and I believe an attorney (and John commiserated with me about my 6'8" older son who didn't play basketball).
With me mostly in Florida most of our on-going relationship was by phone, me asking hoops questions and John checking with me if I knew someone who could help someone he knew who was in behavioral health trouble.
John's knowledge of basketball was encyclopedic. He didn't just teach rebounding technique, he taught what he added to the technique he learned when they played together in Europe from the late Bobby Williams of NYU (head of the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame) who learned from Lou Rossini who learned from Coach Lapchick. John didn't just teach match-up zone, he taught what he learned from the same coach who taught it to Temple Coach John Chaney, except Coach Mathis taught his players a variation in footwork that he believed increased pressure on the ball handler when the ball moved crosscourt.
John knew everyone in the game and their respect for him was well-earned. I was looking forward to hearing his comments on STJ in the Pitino era.
I started to write this post when I saw the news yesterday but a work crew arrived at my house in Florida and I was exiled outside. I feel this loss personally. Condolences to the Mathis family. Rest in Peace my friend. Well done.
I have been involved with basketball on some level, fan, coach, mentor, player(not very good), most of my life. As I think about Coach Mathis, I can honestly say that he is one of the few people that I never heard anyone talk about in a negative manner.
Coach Mathis didn't just "Talk the Talk", he "Walked the Walk". A true Leader and Role Model. Nothing but Respect for this fine gentleman. May he SIP.