Baseball is universally understood as a game of failure because of how difficult it is to be consistently successful.
But what if failure is rare?
That’s what current Jackson State baseball coach Omar Johnson was asked during a recent appearance on MLB Network.
Johnson, who has been the head coach at Jackson State since 2007 and won nearly 600 games, is in his 18th season in the dugout. More remarkably than longevity, Johnson has yet to finish under. 500.
So, how has he done it?
MLB Network host Robert Flores wanted to know. Johnson provided a brief but strong answer.
“I get really good players and have good coaches,” Johnson said with a grin.
.@GoJSUTigersBSB skipper Omar Johnson speaks on having a winning record in all 18 seasons as Head Coach, Black representation around baseball and the Andre Dawson Classic ⚾️
Catch Jackson State in action Friday on https://t.co/X66ltgItwf | @MLBDevelops pic.twitter.com/pWenxmOs89
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 19, 2025
Johnson has won two SWAC tournament championships (2013, 2014) and was named SWAC Coach of the Year in 2021 after leading the Tigers to an undefeated conference season.
Before his time at Jackson State, Johnson was an assistant coach at North Alabama from 1997 to 2000.
In 1999, he helped lead the team to their first-ever College World Series, advancing past the first round.
Johnson also has experience coaching baseball internationally, having led the German national team to victories in the World Baseball Challenge, World Cup, and European baseball championships.
