Husband. Father. Mentor. Loyal Moose. These are just some of the words H. Scott Johnson uses to describe himself. Johnson, who almost won last year’s Henderson NCAA basketball tournament, recently sat down with us for his first exclusive interview since his second place finish, in what he calls “the upset of the decade”.
Scott explains the “Johnson Index”
“I guess I’ve always had a knack for winning,” Johnson said. “The money, the cars, the women – even the trips to Kenya – they’re all secondary. For these three weeks in March, its all about basketball,” said Johnson, who recently returned from vacationing in Africa.
So what accounts for his success? Certainly not the RPI Rating or even the Top 25 weekly rankings. “The RPI has distorted the process for years. And I don’t think team records are as important as some people think,” said Johnson. He subscribes to the “Johnson index” – a complex ranking system of team travel schedules, road records based on climate, and yes, even team uniform colors. “It’s been successful,” he says. “I’ve been successful”.
Inside the war room
He dismisses those who discount his success. “I’ve been criticized before; I’ll be criticized again. It comes with success,” said Johnson, who received harsh scrutiny in the media and editorial pages last year. So what keeps this guy motivated? And what does that “H” really stand for? Johnson, who works part time as committee director for the Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee, is an avid runner, miniature golfer and horseback enthusiast.
The burden of defending weighs heavily on our champion
In by 10 each morning, he’s always had a great work ethic. But for now his tournament success and motivation, like his first initial, remains a secret. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.